Georgian protesters stitch up their mouths

The production facilities of the "Georgian Manganese" Company cause huge damage to the houses of residents of the Georgian village of Shukruti, it has become life-threatening to live in them, the protesters have noted. In their turn, the company officials treat the action as engaged one and reminded that villagers are being paid compensations.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that in November 2019, Shukruti villagers blocked the roads used by the vehicles of the "Georgian Manganese", claiming that the extraction of the manganese ore by the company had led to an environmental disaster and damage to their houses.

Three residents of the village of Shukruti, Chiatura District (Imereti Region), in protest against the "Georgian Manganese" have stitched up their mouths. According to their version, the manganese extraction is causing huge damage to their houses; and it has become life-threatening to live in them, the "News-Georgia" portal has reported.

The protesters have admitted that the company offers compensations to them, but they treat them scanty and disproportional to the damage. They offered to establish the damage with the help of a private audit, and also asked for help from the government; otherwise they threatened to hold a larger protest with the participation of the villagers, the "Sputnik Georgia" has reported today.

In its turn, the company asserts that Shukruti villagers are already receiving compensations, and only some of them disagree with the allocated amounts. According to the company, protesters are acting "in others' interests," the "Sputnik Georgia" has reported, citing a TV Company's report.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on May 11, 2021 at 08:30 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.