OLD GOA
Even as the displaced GMC kiosk owners began their chain hunger strike outside GMC-Bambolim on Monday, they are firm on their resolve that they won’t budge until the compound wall is razed to pave way for the rehabilitation plan.
The first day of the chain hunger strike was started by former Santa Cruz sarpanch and current panch Prasad Naik along with Domnic Pereira, who stayed hungry and thirsty throughout the duration of the strike, from 9.30 am to 5 pm.
“We are not going to call off our strike at any cost as it is a do or die for us now. We have heard too many assurances and what we want now is action on the ground,” kiosk owner Pereira informed.
“For our rehabilitation plan to take place, there is a need for the compound wall to be demolished, and until that happens, we are not going to budge,” Pereira stated.
“The last time around when we met Chief Minister Pramod Sawant along with St Cruz MLA Tony Fernandes, he had promised that the work would start in 3-4 days but we gave them a week’s time, which ended on Sunday. And since nothing happened, we collectively decided to go on an indefinite chain hunger strike,” Pereira informed.
“I had also sent a message to the MLA to come and sit with us,” he stated and added that this time their strike is an indefinite one.
“If the work starts, then we will take a decision accordingly,” Pereira said.
Extending their support to the indefinite strike, the fruits and vegetable vendors also decided not to do any business.
Meanwhile, TMC’s St Cruz leader Arturo D’Souza, who paid a visit to the kiosk owners, alleged that they are being taken for a ride by the powers that be, which is not right.
“The government is playing with the sentiments of the kiosk owners, but I still appeal that the issue be resolved at the earliest,” D’Souza added.
