VASCO
A peaceful protest by citizens against the diversion of Mhadei River and enhanced coal handling at Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) turned tense on Monday morning, after the MPA closed its gate and did not allow the protestors to enter the premises.
A huge force of police and CISF were seen deployed at the gates, while citizens and activists chanted slogans against the MPA, coal companies and some even demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and BJP MLAs.
While activists demanded that the MPA chairman come to the gates and accept the memorandum by the citizens, the MPA management agreed to allow 10 persons from the rally to enter the MPA office and meet the Dy Chairman of the MPA.
The protest rally began from the Vasco Railway Station at around 11.30 am and the protestors marched with placards and black flags chanting slogans towards the TB Cunha Chowk and back to the Vasco railway station.
The protestors then moved towards the MPA Administrative building but found a huge police force, CISF security forces and the main gates closed.
The activists and leaders along with citizens then confronted the MPA security and the police staff deployed at the gates claiming that it was their right to protest against the diversion of Mhadei River and their opposition to enhancement of the coal.
The MPA finally permitted a delegation of ten people to meet the Dy Chairman for a meeting late in the afternoon, to discuss both issues of Mhadei River diversion and enhanced coal handling at MPA.
Speaking to media after a meeting with the MPA, social activist and Dabolim Congress leader Captain Viriato Fernandes said the MPA had tried to play mind games with the protestors.
"They first sent the PRO, then sent some welfare officers and even sent the Dy Conservator but we refused and demanded that we will only meet the top management. Finally, the top boss met us and we explained the 2018 parliamentary committee recommendation report,” said Capt. Fernandes.
We also explained to the management that the land and water belonged to Goans and that the PM Narendra Modi was a signatory to the international convention which will do away with the coal. The Parliamentary committee said they wanted to develop tourism and the MPA has said they are spending Rs 120 crore.”
“When we demanded that coal be stopped immediately, they said they will see because they have signed a 30-year contract with a coal handling company. They also said that the State government and Goa State Pollution Control Board is also a part of this and they have exposed the government and its departments who are hand in glove for getting coal and destroying Goa," said Capt. Fernandes.
Activists Jayesh Shetgaonkar and Xencor Polgi also addressed the protestors on the occasion.
‘FIGHT OF THE PEOPLE’
Anti-coal activist Abhijit Prabhudesai said it was a fight of the people.
“The government has become a slave of crony capitalists and have given the permissions for coal enhancement and is working for double tracking. The Mhadei water is being diverted for the coal companies and this is clear from the Karnataka Government website and Sagar mala project details,” said Prabhudesai.
“The government must stop coal immediately. The Goa Government is merely bowing down to their central leaders. We will continue our fight and we appeal to Goans to come out in large numbers to support us," said Prabhudesai.
‘CM, 40 MLAS MUST RESIGN’
Social activist Tara Kerkar demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and all 40 MLAs for having betrayed Goans.
"We don't want double tracks, enhanced coal and we want that our Mhadei water must not be diverted. The 40 MLAs should resign along with CM Sawant because they are only safeguarding their chair. North Goa MP Shripad Naik who made a statement earlier must resign as well," said Kerkar.
‘PEOPLE SUFFERING DUE TO COAL’
Adv Pratima Coutinho said citizens wanted to condemn the dadagiri of the Goa BJP government.
"This government has only forced the people to come on roads for every small and big issue to save Goa but politicians are sitting in their offices. This coal has caused the deaths of senior citizens and people are suffering but the government is busy helping corporates. CM Pramod Sawant who called Mhadei his mother must resign and MP Shripad Naik must also set an example by resigning," said Coutinho.
‘GOA BEING POLLUTED’
Former Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha said Goa was on the verge of extinction.
"Goa is being polluted and is supported by MPA which is getting double the coal. The people must come out, confront the Government and take them to task,” said Saldanha.
‘MORMUGAO MLAS SILENT’
Social Activist Nazir Khan hit out the Mormugao MLAs and questioned their silence in the matter.
"In 2012, former CM late Manohar Parrikar had said Vasco would be coal-free and that it was a gift on the birthday of then MLA Rajendra Arlekar but coal handling has only increased. It is a coincidence that on the birthday of Vasco MLA Krishna Salkar, the coal expansion has been announced,” said Khan.
“Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar has been silent and not speaking a word and he should have been here with the people at a time when MPA shut their gates on us. It was Amonkar who said coal must be stopped totally but has changed his stand that pollution must be stopped. Amonkar must come forward to the people and clarify his stand.”
“Mauvin Godinho who is a minister is also not doing anything for us as of now,” he added.
