MARGAO
People of Cuncolim intensified the ongoing movement against air and water pollution at the Cuncolim Industrial Estate as they took out a candle light rally in the village on Saturday to protest against rampant pollution at the industrial estate and the government’s failure to reply to the signed memorandum submitted by the villagers against pollution.
Some of the participants at the rally set 15-day deadline on the government to put an end to the pollution. The rally which started from the bus stand later culminated at the Chieftain’s Memorial where speakers, including Leader of Opposition and Cuncolim MLA Yuri Alemao, Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa, social activist Dr Jorson Fernandes, retired Superintendent of Police Tony Fernandes and others addressed the people and called for an immediate stop to the pollution at the industrial estate.
As the participants demanded an early end to the pollution at the industrial estate, with some setting 15-day deadline on the government to act, Yuri said he will stand by the people and join the mode of agitation decided by Cuncolkars. Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa, however, suggested that the people should kick start the agitation from the first day of the New Year with a non-cooperation movement by refusing to pay the water and power bills.
Addressing the participants, villager Shukla Keni said the candle light rally has been taken out since the government has not even bothered to reply to the signed memorandum submitted by the villagers to end pollution.
In his address, Dr Jorson said that Cuncolkars have been hit by air and water pollution affecting their health over the years. He said that workers are being housed inside the industrial units without any sanitation facilities, while insisting that all the government agencies should participate in a joint inspection to unearth the illegalities inside the estate. “The units discharge their untreated water in the bore well, which finds its way to the sump before the water is consumed by the people. There’s rampant air pollution in the industrial estate. And, there is land pollution with slag containing arsenic substance dumped inside the estate,” he added.
Retired SP, Tony Fernandes demanded the closure of the pollution units at the Cuncolim industrial estate, adding that pharmaceutical industries should be set up at Cuncolim to provide employment opportunities for the local youth.
Addressing the participants, Cuncolim MLA Yuri said he has been raising the issue of pollution in the Goa Legislative Assembly since his election last year. He agreed with the people there is air pollution caused by the steel factories, water pollution by the fish meal and processing units and rampant encroachments by the unit. “I will be with the people on whatever you decide, whether to shut the roads or to stage a boycott. I am not come here to do politics but to support my people in the battle against pollution,” Yuri said.
He said some of the units owe water bills to the government amounting to Rs 11 crore, demanding to know why the government is dragging its feet to disconnect their water supply. “Let us realistically touch our hearts to find out the agents who are playing with the lives of Cuncolkars. These people need to be brought to book and told in no uncertain terms not to take the people for granted,” he added.
