SANGUEM
The controversy over the Mirabag protests intensified after the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant reportedly referred to the protesters as “terrorists”, a remark that was strongly rejected by the demonstrators.
The protesters maintained that they are ordinary citizens and primary supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party who are carrying out a peaceful and democratic protest over local development issues affecting their village.
The issue gained attention on the first day of the assembly session when four Mirabag protesters displayed placards from the visitors’ gallery to highlight their opposition to certain government policies. Security personnel quickly intervened and the four individuals were detained by the police and taken to the Porvorim police station for questioning. Their arrest created tension among villagers and supporters, who argued that the protesters were only exercising their democratic right to express their concerns. The Deputy Collector ordered their release on Saturday after imposing certain conditions.
According to the protesters, the agitation in Mirabag has been continuing for last twenty-five days. Villagers have been demanding transparency from the government regarding a project reportedly initiated by the Water Resources Department, which they fear could impact their land, houses, agriculture, temple and the surrounding environment.
The protesters strongly objected to being labelled as terrorists, stating that their movement has remained non-violent and transparent.
They maintained that all the four constituencies which stand affected due to construction of the bandhara have BJP MLAs and the Chief Minister has literally insulted all of us by terming us as ‘terrorist”, the protesters remarked.
