VASCO
The Chicalim Youth Farmers Club (CYFC) and a group of youth from other parts of the State gathered at Chicalim Panchayat on Saturday morning to voice their opposition to the three linear projects of double-tracking, expansion of national highway and transmission of power lines through the Western Ghats.
The CYFC youth said they would gather youth from across the State to voice their concerns and agitate against the projects, while also threatening not to support the government in the upcoming elections. They also demanded a special assembly session to discuss the three projects and to offer more clarity to the people.
CYFC President Valerie Afonso said the three projects were destructive in nature.
“All three projects are linked to coal transportation. We feel that power transmission lines through Western Ghats are meant to power trains carrying coal along the elevated rails in the Castle Rock region and not for domestic electricity for Goans. These projects were passed without informing people,” said Afonso.
Another member, Neola Pereira, said the Sagarmala Project initially looked promising as it had assured that a lot of jobs were to be given to youth while boosting the economy of the country.
“We have realised that these destructive projects under Sagarmala are only to benefit private players and not Goans. We all appeal to the government to scrap these projects and withdraw the land acquisition for these projects,” said Pereira.
Another member, Mauvin Pereira, said the youth had met a minister after an appointment to voice their concerns against the projects.
“He could not answer our queries. Instead, he got agitated and indirectly threatened us by saying that we could be booked by police if we continued to agitate against the projects.”
“He also dismissed our concerns saying that double-tracking was required for the benefit of the people. The youth condemn this indirect threat and we will not fall prey to such threats. We will continue to oppose these projects for the love of our land and are even prepared to go to jail,” said Pereira.
Another member, Conchita Monteiro, said the youth had been terribly hurt by the government’s attitude and the deployment of RPF against the people.
