Ali Anwar Ansari

New Delhi : Rebel Janata Dal-United leader Ali Anwar on Tuesday attacked the Centre over filling up of open salt mines in Rajasthan by “threatening” people ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit on January 16.

“The government has filled up over 20 open salt mines to facilitate re-laying of the foundation stone of the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) refinery in Pachpadara village in Barmer district,” Anwar told the media here.

He said there are about 200 open salt mines in Pachparda area since the time of British rule.

“With the government’s move to fill up the open mines, danger looms over 180 more salt mines, on which over 5,000 persons are dependent for livelihood,” he said.

“We are not against the refinery project, but the government must promise them jobs as their livelihood is in danger now,” he said.

He said the villagers will put up black flags on their rooftops to protest against the government’s move to fill up the mines.

Hitting out at the government, the rebel JD-U leader said: “It is unfortunate that the Prime Minister will again lay the foundation stone of the project, which was earlier laid by Congress President Sonia Gandhi and then Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot in March 2013.”

He said the Bharatiya Janata Party wants to ride on the shoulders of Modi by calling him to the state ahead of the bypolls to the Lok Sabha constituencies of Alwar and Ajmer and Mandalgarh assembly seat on January 29.

—IANS