the goan I network
VASCO
Mining dependents from various trades in Mormugao taluka have appealed to the public to support the Goa bandh organised by the Goa Mining People’s Front (GMPF) on February 26.
Stating that Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s ill-health could be one of the major reasons why mining issue could not be resolved, the mining dependents said various organizations in Mormugao taluka could voluntarily participate in the bandh, which would be peaceful.
Addressing a news conference, Vasco-based shipping agent Mannubhai Thakker said Mormugao Taluka was one of the major areas with many mining dependents.
“Organisations can voluntarily express solidarity with this bandh which is organized because mining has not resumed. The entire iron ore would have moved from Mormugao and we are requesting mining dependents to be a part of the bandh in whatever peaceful way the could, like having a black flag, having a shop shutter half down or closing an organization on the day for a few hours just to peacefully pass a message that we desperately need mining resumed.”
“This bandh will not be forced on schools and traffic movement, but it will be a peaceful one,” said Thakker.
Goa Barge Owners Association Member Chandrakant Gawas said political parties should refrain from taking the resumption of mining as an agenda for elections.
“The MPs have put in efforts and also got us to meet even PM Narendra Modi. Their efforts may not have yielded results, but we are not here to blame one political party and support the other.”
“Mining resumption is our one-point agenda. We are mining dependents and we have been given assurances, but now the State has said the Centre will not intervene in the mining crisis and this raises suspicion if political parties are taking advantage of the situation,” said Gawas.
However, Mormugao Launch Owners Association Member Simon Pereira was more critical and said mining dependents would definitely teach the MPs a good lesson and demanded that leaders stop giving fake assurances to mining dependents.
“Today, the four major industries of mining, tourism, agriculture and fishing have been finished by the government’s implementation of new rules and notifications.”
“Development across Goa has happened directly or indirectly because of mining activities. Each and every businessman in Vasco is affected and this city is almost finished economically. I request politicians to stop giving us false assurances and it is time for action or else, we will surely teach them a good lesson. It makes no sense in supporting people who have not supported us,” said Pereira.
