Members of CRSBAC in discussion with Railway officers, Canacona Mamlatdar and Canacona PI.
CANACONA
Canacona Railway Stop Bachao Action Committee (CRSBAC) has decided to give a call for Rail–Roko in Canacona, if the contentious issue of providing ‘Halts’ to long-distance trains and related facilities is not extended to Canacona Railway Station in the next 15 days.
The decision came after CRSBAC members attended a joint meeting with Railway Officers as brokered by Canacona Mamlatdar on Thursday.
As assured during the January 13 ‘hunger strike’ by CRSBAC members at Canacona KRC Station, a joint meeting was held at Canacona Mamlatdar Office on Thursday, attended by Regional Railway Manager (KRCL) Balasaheb Nikam, Sr Regional Traffic Manager Sunil Nadkar, Canacona Mamlatdar Manoj Korgaonkar, Canacona PI Chandrakant Gawas and a horde of CRSBAC members led by coordinator Janardhan Bhandari and Convenor Shantaji Naik Gaonkar.
Agitating members narrated the sacrifices made by Canconcars who gave their land and spearheaded counter-movements to support the railway line through Canacona as well as various other reasoning and justifications for resuming the halts and railway services as existing pre-Covid lockdown.
In response, the officers reiterated that the Railway Board will be notified about the demands, which incidentally the KRC officials have been telling the protestors since they began the agitation on December 15, 2022.
The reply led to the CRSBAC members walking out of the meeting in protest. Later speaking to media, they blamed the railway officials for keeping the Railway Board and the Railway Ministry in the dark over the demands and indicated Canconcars will have to resort to Rail-Roko, if suitable solutions don’t come within 15 days.
"Senior citizens took part in the morcha against the railways, they gave representations as well, and still the matter is not reached to the level of Railway board is an overall insult to Canacona people," said former CMC Chairperson Rajendra Dessai.
CRSBAC Coordinator Janardhan Bhandari said, "We will not take this type of delaying tactics, which are not in good taste and insulting as well. If Railways continue to ignore our rightful and legitimate demand for long-distance Train Halts and other related matters in Canacona KRC Station for the next 15 days, CRSBAC will not lag behind to give a Rail-Roko Call, for which the authorities and government will be responsible."
