Vasco: Goa played the pipes of peace on Gandhi Jayanti. Walking on the streets of Mollem to Vasco, east to west covering 70 kilometres, with people joining in and exiting whenever they felt, in several villages on the route map which included, among others, Sacordem, Darbandora Loutolim, Borim, Cortlaim, Sancoale, St Jacinto, Chicalim, culminating at Vasco.
Hundreds of people including politicians, civil society members, across Goa joined the movement, in a unique way to reclaim democracy.
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A delegation of civil society members met the Vasco MLA and submitted a memorandum demanding to scrap three mega projects of doubling of railway track, high voltage transmission wire and expansion of national highway for coal transportation from Goa.
Goa Foundation Convenor, Claude Alvares told journalists that all three mega projects which BJP govt is trying to bring in Goa are legally unsound and hazardous to the environment of Goa. Therefore many people have out and opposing these projects.
Alvares further mentioned that during Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant’s recent meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he should have discussed the Mhadei issue which is of utmost importance, but instead, CM Sawant gave hollow assurances of mining resumption in near future. How is mining going to start is something nobody knows.
Leader of the opposition Digambar Kamat who had joined this peace walk rally for a short period of time spoke to reporters and said that imposition of section 144 in some parts of Goa is an attempt to suppress the voice of the people. In Democracy, people have the right to voice their opinions and that is being suppressed.
Kamat further said that Coal will not benefit Goa and Goa will remain a transition point for coal transportation. People’s health will suffer because of coal transportation, therefore people are opposing these megaprojects openly. If Goa becomes a coal hub then it will hamper the health of the people. Therefore it is the responsibility of all people to oppose coal in Goa” he added.
Later, Swapnesh Sherlekar of Goencho Avaaz co-convenor in his address to the gathering said that this peace walk was to give an idea to the govt that people are against the mega projects and they don’t want coal in Goa.
He further said that the government should take note and should understand what people want. Govt should listen to the people and go according to the people’s decision. If we do not rise now and raise our voices then we won’t have the face to show to our future generations” he added.
Later, Curtorim MLA Alexio Reginaldo Laurenco also said that if Goa becomes a coal hub then it will have an adverse effect on the environment and health of the people. People are opposing these megaprojects so I am with the people. He also mentioned that he has time and again raised the coal transportation issue and has opposed coal in Goa.
Fr. Bolmax Pereira, Convenor of Peace Walk rally told media that “the peace walk was to promote peace and unite people across Goa”. He added, “The rally was also a silent gesture to give a message to the government that people are against the doubling of railway track project, expansion of National Highway 4A and High voltage transmission electricity line which will affect Goa’s environment and people’s health.
Fr. Pereira also added that the message was clear that now the people have chosen the non-violent path to convey the message they do not want three destructive megaprojects. If the government still doesn’t listen then people will have to decide about the future course of action, said Fr Pereira.
Meanwhile, Goencho Avaaz co-Convenor Captain. Viriato Fernandes spoke near Vasco railway station. Earlier to this, after reaching the Vasco, the representatives of this peace walk, Fr. Bolmax Pereira parish priest of Chicalim, Capt Viriato Fernandes, Ella Mascarenhas of Goencho Ekvott submitted three memorandums to Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida and demanded to scrap these three mega projects which are destructive to Goa’s ecosystem.
Vasco MLA, Carlos Almeida gave patient hearing to them and also mentioned that he himself had asked questions to the Chief Minister as how many trains will ply once doubling of track happens, how coal will benefit Goa. Almeida also assured the members of Peace for walk rally that he will convey their message and requests to CM. Later, the rally was concluded after the singing national anthem at Vasco.
