NT Reporter
Margao/Curchorem
The Goa Forward Party (GFP) has strongly condemned the government’s response to Mirabag protestors who were detained from the Goa Legislative Assembly for holding banners demanding the scrapping of the bandhara project in their village.
Demanding immediate withdrawal of the cases filed against the protestors, the party has also sought a written assurance from the government that the Mirabag bandhara project will be scrapped.
GFP president and Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai criticised the government’s response, describing it as oppressive. He said the government remained unresponsive to the protestors for over 27 days, forcing them to hold banners to draw attention to their demands.
“The Chief Minister overstepped in the issue by taking on the role of the Speaker and ordering the protestors to be thrown out. This shows an oppressive approach where the government refuses to listen to its people,” Sardesai said.
He added that the party would continue to raise issues in the Sanvordem constituency and would not tolerate what he termed as the government’s “dadagiri”.
Senior GFP leader and general secretary Mohandas Lolienkar said the protest was a direct outcome of the government ignoring the villagers’ demands. Activist Appa Naik said villagers had been opposing the project for the past two years, filing RTIs and meeting ministers and officials, stating that the project would affect temples, sacred places and local livelihoods.
Meanwhile, Sanket Bhandari, one of the leaders of the agitating villagers of Mirabag and nearby areas, has alleged that the FIR registered against four protestors for raising their voice in the Goa Legislative Assembly at Porvorim is an attempt to suppress the agitation through harassment and intimidation.
Bhandari said the government’s failure to address villagers’ concerns over the proposed bandhara had compelled them to
protest.
He added that the movement would continue as the villagers believe their demand is justified and are receiving growing public support.
He also thanked shopkeepers of the Curchorem market for observing a bandh in support of the agitation.
Meanwhile, PSI Mandar Parab of Porvorim police station has issued summons to Upendra Naik, Sagar Bhandari, Umesh Naik and Mangaldas (Appa) Naik to appear for inquiry on March 8. An FIR has been registered against them under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
