Panaji: Unity Mall protestors who attempted to march towards the Goa University ground in Bambolim where the state-level Republic Day celebrations were
underway were stopped by a heavy police force deployed in the area. The mamlatdar was present along with the police
Tension prevailed in the area and traffic was disrupted for some time after the road was blocked.
Speaking to the media, Govind Shirodkar, chairman of wetland and biodiversity committee, said people were not being allowed to stand up for themselves despite India being a republic.
“This is the 77th Republic Day, but we are not truly a republic because this government is behaving like a dictatorship and there is no respect for public opinion,” he said.
Shirodkar said the villagers tied their hands as a symbolic protest to express their helplessness.
“We wanted to hold a peaceful protest on the footpath, but we were stopped by the Mamlatdar and the authorities responsible for maintaining law and order. Because of this, we had to block the road,” he said.
He apologised to residents of Bambolim for the inconvenience caused.
“To save our land, even if we have to die, we will not step back. We want to send this message to the Chief Minister and the Prime Minister,” he said.
Protestor Ajay Kholkar said the agitation would continue.
“On the 30th, there will be a ‘maha andolan’. It will be do or die. We will not keep quiet. No matter who comes, how much police force is deployed, or whether collectors come, we will not step back until these two proposed projects are scrapped,” he said.
