CANACONA
Youth from Karwar have threatened to stage a dharna near Goa's border at Polem check post if the border post is not reopened to traffic and people by 10 am on Saturday.
Ever since the Central government directed all states to open inter-state borders and allow free movement of people and traffic, the Karnataka government has thrown open its border at the Majali check post.
However, the Goa government continues to restrict the entry of people and traffic. Incidentally, soon after the Central government directives to the Chief Secretary, the State government went a step ahead and the Collector (South) issued an order on August 25, imposing restrictions on the entry of people into Goa through the State border in South Goa.
People across the border at Polem in Karnataka accused the Goa government of harassing the people seeking to enter via Polem border by continuing to charge Rs 2,000 per person for entry into the State.
“In most cases, no receipts are issued nor are Covid tests done and when people demand receipts for the entry fee of Rs 2,000, people are being harassed and threatened with compulsory 14-day home quarantine”, claimed an allegation which was widely circulated on social media by people in Karwar.
While a group of youth demanded the immediate withdrawal of entry restrictions by 10 am on Saturday or face a dharna at Polem check post, former Karwar MLA Satish Sail also threatened to agitate at the Goa's southernmost border at Polem check post on Sunday.
According to sources, Karwar MLA Rupali Naik spoke to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday and conveyed concerns of people in Karwar. There were unconfirmed reports in the area that Sawant has assured to remove the restrictions by September 1.
Following these reported assurances, former Karwar MLA Sail reportedly put on hold his agitation scheduled for Sunday but threatened to lead people to the Goa border at Polem, if restrictions were not lifted in totality, as per Central government directives.
However, a group of youth reportedly under the banner of Vakratunda Association from Karwar has decided to go ahead with the agitation inside the Polem check post, if the Goa government does not open the gates by 10 am on Saturday.
“If the gates at Polem check post are not opened by then, we will stage the dharna and will not leave unless authorities inform us the day when the gate will be open for free inter-state movement of people and traffic,” said a source.
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1 Since the Central government directed all states to open inter-state borders and allow free movement, the Karnataka government has thrown open its border at the Majali check post but the Goa government continues to restrict the entry of people
2 Incidentally, soon after the Central government directives to the Chief Secretary, the State government went a step ahead and the Collector (South) issued an order on August 25, imposing restrictions on the entry of people into Goa through the State border in South Goa
