the goan I network
Valpoi
Expressing displeasure over the failure of the forest authorities in locating the bison responsible for the death of two villagers “ Jayanti Gaonkar and Poojan Melekar, Sattari locals raised a complaint with the local MLA and health minister Vishwajit Rane.
Rane was in the area for the inauguration of a Kadamba bus service, which was a long-pending demand of the villagers.
Villagers also raised concerns about the combing operation carried out in the villages and alleged that it was just an eye wash meant to satisfy the villagers and to allay their fears.
It can be recalled that after the death of Meleker, the villager demanded that the authorities relocate the bison from the area.
Subsequently, forest officials undertook combing operations, but till date have been unsuccessful in trapping the animal.
Locals have thus raised complaints that the combing operation has just been an eye wash, because forest officers are seen just sitting at one spot without conducting any search operation in the forest.
Rane assured the villagers that would look into the matter.
Meanwhile, the long-pending demand of the villagers to start a bus service from Maigene to Guleli has been fulfilled after the Health Minister flagged off the Kadamba bus service on Sunday morning.
Addressing the gathering, Rane said, “Now people need not walk from Maigene to Guleli because their demand of a bus service has been fulfilled,” adding that there will be no threat from the bison as the bus service will start from 6:30 am from the village via Guleli to Ponda return at 3 p.m. to facilitate school-going children and people employed in the government as well as private sector.
