Villagers and activists say Tungkum has poisoned the creeks and waterways on which the communities rely for irrigation and food. Many people have fallen ill, said Nicha Rakpanichmanee, a research officer with EARTH.
"After years of complaints and no action from any government agency to stop the contamination — and villagers felt the contamination was getting worse — the villagers set up a blockade late last year to block large trucks from entering or leaving the premises," she said.
The attackers used a company tractor to destroy the barricade and then moved 13 trucks carrying ore out of the village, residents said.
"People are ill," said Wiraun Rujichaiwat, whose husband was among those beaten. "There are chemicals in the food we grow around our homes. We don't want them mining here. We're against them, and we want them to stop."
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