Citizens protest against the fish meal plant and pollution at the Cuncolim Industrial estate.
MARGAO
While Cuncolim City Fathers discussed and deliberated on the sensitive fish meal plant inside the Municipal building, Cuncokars protested outside with placards, firmly opposing red category units at the Cuncolim Industrial estate and outside.
In fact, protestors warned of an unprecedented shut down if the government and the Investment Promotion Board (IPB) does not withdraw the approval for the shifting of the fish meal plant from Quepem to Cuncolim.
Social activist Aviraj Desai warned that the patience of Cuncolkars is running out with the government only handing out promises to stop pollution. “Instead of shutting the polluting units at the Cuncolim IDC, the government has given approval for a new fish meal plant in the tow. The CMC has rejected the NOC for the proposed fish meal plant, but we have all gathered today to convey a message loud and clear that people will now come on the streets to oppose any polluting plants in Cuncolim”, he warned.
Demanding that the government honour its commitment to cart aware the hazardous zinc waste from the Cuncolim IDC by October, Aviraj demanded that the government provide medical insurance cover for the people of Cuncolim for getting exposed to pollution from the IDC.
Issuing a warning loud and clear to the government not to play with fire, activist Joseph Vaz said the people of Cuncolim will oppose formalin and fish meal plant tooth and nail.
Manjunath Shirwant said what has been witnessed in Cuncolim against the fish meal plant is just a trailer, warning that the picture will released soon.
Another villager Ankush Desai wondered how the IPC granted approval for the fish meal plant when Cuncolkars along with Cuncolim MLA and Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao are opposing pollution at the Cuncolim IDC.
