the goan I network
PANAJI/PONDA
Two cars were set ablaze and roads were blocked in some parts of Sattari and Bicholim talukas, while shops and establishments were shut down in the entire mining heartland of the State, in response to the bandh called by the Goa Mining People’s Front (GMPF) on Tuesday.
The bandh was by and large peaceful, where several rallies staged at various parts in the talukas of Bicholim, Sattari, Ponda, Dharbandora and Quepem.
The bandh also had an impact in the port town, as shops and establishments were shut down during the day, while a large rally was also staged in Vasco city.
Government offices, schools and other essential services were largely unaffected and continued to function in the bandh-affected areas of the State.
Two cars were set ablaze by miscreants, one near the Ajoba Temple at Honda and the other at Pissurlem, while the road proceeding towards Sonshi was blocked with mud near the Ajoba Temple and there was a similar blockade on the road proceeding to Pissurlem. Some miscreants had also blocked the Honda-Ponda road at Surla.
In Ponda taluka, the mining dependents threatened that political parties in power would have to face their wrath during the Lok Sabha polls and assembly by-elections, if the government failed to resume mining activity before the election code of conduct came into force.
The mining dependents under the banner of the GMPF staged huge rallies, which culminated at Tisk Usgao and leaders warned that they would work against the BJP-led government to defeat their candidates.
The bandh called by the GMPF evoked good response from the mining belt, which witnessed a total shutdown of shops and establishments. Shops in Usgao, Dharbandora and Mollem were closed in support of the bandh by the mining dependents.
The shopkeepers vented out their anger against the State government for failing to resolve the issue.
“Due to suspension of mining, we have lost business. It has directly impacted our business. Everyone knows that mining is the backbone of the State’s economy and yet, the State government has failed to resume mining activity,” complained a shopkeeper from Usgao.
Hundreds of mining dependents from north and south gathered at Usgao and
