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TENSION is mounting at Obuasi over the decision by a vigilante group, stationed at Sanso, a predominately mining community in Obuasi to physically attack any illegal miner caught using the town as a conduit pipe to enter the underground concession of Anglo Gold Ashanti, Obuasi mine. The group, known as Sanso Community Neighborhood Watch Committee and led by the assembly member for the area, Benjamin Annan, has vowed not to allow any illegal miner to use the town to gain access to the main operation areas of the mining company, especially the underground session, but this approach is said to have received fierce resistance by a section of the illegal miners. Those against the position have condemned the approach by the Vigilante group, arguing that the use of force could trigger conflict, looking at the number of people involved in the galamsey business. But in an interview with Time FM, an Obuasi based radio station, Mr. Annan, explained that the community has been identified by the management of AGA, �as a major point through which these illegal miners gain access to the underground, hence �our decision to check that�. �I want these illegal miners to back off, as we have formed a taskforce to deal ruthlessly with any illegal miner caught enroute to the underground.� According to the spokesperson of the group, they �will not sit down for the name of Sanso to be associated with the current challenges facing Anglo Gold Ashanti�. The chronicle�s source at the mining company hinted that the activities of illegal miners at the underground concession of the mine remained a major worry to the company. �As many as forty illegal miners have been cited since December and the earlier we do something about it, the better,� a management source noted. Meanwhile, the leadership of the Obuasi Artisan small scale miners Association has appealed to the group to reconsider its approach to the issue. Mr. Borry Rufus, Secretary of the association told this reporter that though it was in support of any decision to prevent its members from entering the underground session of the AGA, the approach by the Vigilante group was not the best. �We agree that our members should not be allowed to enter the underground session, but beating them up could also muddy the waters�, he noted and suggested that such illegal miners be arrested and handed over to the police. The Obuasi Divisional Police Commander, ACP Kofi Dwumfour Berchie confirmed the existence of the group, but said �they are to protect the community from criminals and not necessarily attack illegal miners�.