Symbolic half-hour closure in Support of Mirabag Protest
With no relief coming from the government and authorities remaining adamant over the issue of the proposed Bhandara construction across the Zuari River at Mirabag in Sanvordem, the business community from Curchorem has decided to extend support to the agitating villagers.
Acting on an appeal made by the protestors, local traders and shopkeepers have resolved to keep their business establishments closed for half an hour, from 12.00 noon to 12.30 pm on Friday, March 6, as a mark of solidarity with the villagers who have been agitating in Mirabag for the past 24 days.
The decision to observe the symbolic closure has been taken to express support for the villagers who have been staging a continuous protest against the proposed project, claiming that the construction of the Bhandara would adversely affect their residential houses, agricultural plantations and the ecological balance of the area. According to the agitators, despite their persistent demonstrations and repeated appeals, the government has neither paid heed to their concerns nor provided any concrete solution to address the issue.
The protestors have strongly criticised the authorities for what they described as a lack of response and sensitivity towards the villagers’ grievances. They alleged that even after more than three weeks of continuous agitation, the government has failed to communicate its stand or initiate any dialogue, leaving the villagers uncertain about the future of the project and the fate of their homes and livelihoods.
Maintaining a firm stand, the villagers have reiterated that they will not withdraw their agitation unless the Bhandara project is completely withdrawn from the village. With the protest entering its 24th day and no assurance forthcoming from the authorities, the villagers have now decided to intensify their agitation by shifting the protest to Lohia Maidan in Margao on Friday in an attempt to draw the attention of the government and the wider public to their demands.
