PANAJI
Activists belonging to the Progressive Front of Goa and Save Mhadei, Save Goa front on Wednesday gathered outside the Chief Minister's official residence in Altinho, Panaji and staged a protest against the handling of Mhadei water diversion and the large scale felling of forest trees at the Mollem Wildlife Sanctuary.
However, 15 of the protesters were soon detained and arrested by Panaji police. The gathering was addressed by many speakers who launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led state government for its abject failure to pay heed to the voices of local residents and forcing several projects on Goans under the pretext of the progress of the state.
The protestors were agitated further when CM Pramod Sawant refused to meet them.
"We have been saying that this CM is up for selling River Mhadei in exchange for mining resumption and through his actions, he is proving us right," alleged one of the protestors.
Heavy police deployment was seen outside the CM's residence to maintain law and order. However, when the police personnel began detaining the protesters, one female activist questioned why the Goa Police have failed to display similar enthusiasm in solving the recent horrific cases of murder and rape. "Is this how you treat free citizens?" she questioned.
None of the arrested activists sought bail till late Wednesday evening.
