Villagers issue open warning, threaten action as dredging sparks fresh anger
MAPUSA
A day after Panaji residents erupted in protest, anger over the proposed casino vessel on the River Mandovi spilled across to Verem on Wednesday, with large number of villagers assembling in a show of defiance and issuing an open warning to authorities that the vessel will not be allowed to anchor on their side of the river.
A predominantly youthful crowd warned that they would not allow the vessel to anchor under any circumstances and even threatened to “take the law into their hands” if authorities failed to act.
“It is a question of our livelihood. We will go to any extent,” Harish, a villager declared, reflecting the charged mood.
“We were waiting for official communication from the Captain of Ports or the panchayat. But nothing has been conveyed to us so far,” Harish added.
He alleged that after facing resistance in Verem, the vessel shifted towards Panaji, heightening suspicion among locals.
Concerns deepened after dredging activity was noticed along the Verem stretch of the Mandovi.
Residents said the gram sabha had last month passed a resolution strongly opposing the vessel, but alleged that neither the Captain of Ports nor the panchayat had formally communicated any decision.
Confusion deepened as villagers claimed dredging activity had already begun along the Verem stretch even as officials traded claims over whether correspondence had been sent or received.
Protesters also gheraoed the Reis Magos panchayat, accusing it of moving too slowly also met the Captain of Ports.
Sarpanch Sushmita Pednekar said the panchayat stands with the villagers and had conveyed its objections, but admitted no written response had been received from authorities.
The villagers also expressed anger at local MLA Kedar Naik for remaining absent at what they described as a crucial moment for the village. Several residents said they expected him to stand with them as tensions escalated over the proposed casino vessel.
“The MLA had assured us that the casino would not be allowed in Verem. But now his phone is switched off and there is no sign of him even as villagers are waiting for him,” said Omkar, a local resident, voicing frustration over the lack of response.
With protests now brewing on both banks of the Mandovi – in Panaji and Verem – the agitation against the casino vessel is rapidly snowballing into a wider confrontation.
