PORVORIM
For the second time this month, angry residents on Monday foiled dredging operations in the river near Reis Magos and threatened to block the road if the operations were not stopped immediately.
Stiffly opposed to reported plans to anchor a casino vessel at Reis Magos, the residents had earlier stopped similar dredging work on October 2.
When fresh attempts were made to dredge the area on Monday afternoon, residents rushed to the site and also reported the matter to Saligao MLA Kedar Naik. Naik went to the spot and directed the operators to stop the work, warning that failure to comply could lead to a law and order situation.
Later speaking to the media, Kedar Naik said he had already written to the Captain of Ports, informing him that the residents were strongly opposed to the anchoring of any casino vessel at Reis Magos.
“A public hearing should be held before allowing such activities. If any attempt is made by a casino operator to forcibly anchor the vessel, the residents have warned that they will stage a protest and, if necessary, block traffic proceeding towards Candolim and Calangute,” said Naik.
“Secondly, the livelihood of the fishing community of Reis Magos depends on the extraction of seashells, especially Tisreo (clams), which are available in abundance at Reis Magos. If casino vessels are anchored at Reis Magos, the fishing community will be affected very badly. I will approach the Captain of Ports once again and discuss this issue personally with him,” said Naik.
A resident, Harish Madkaiker, alleged that casino operators were involved in the dredging operation on Monday without taking the residents of Reis Magos into confidence.
“We had stopped a similar dredging operation on October 2, and in no case will we allow anchoring of the casino vessel at Reis Magos. If casino vessels are anchored at Reis Magos, it will not only create noise pollution, but the activities of the fishing community will be affected. Let them anchor the vessel towards the Panaji side,” said Madkaikar.
