TUESDAY, MAY 07, 2024
Team Herald
MAPUSA: The striking lifeguards finally called off their hunger strike on Friday, December 25. Around 70 lifeguards were on fast unto death from the last 11 days but they called it off after Chief Minister Pramod Sawant assured to fulfill their demands.
Speaking about this development, Adv Ajit Singh Rane, who has been working with the protesting lifeguards said,”70 Lifeguards were on hunger strike since last 29 days, which included 18 days of chain hunger strike and 11 days of fast unto death at Mapusa. Taking cognizance of the hunger strike by lifeguards, CM Pramod Sawant assured us that 230 lifeguards will be absorbed through the Goa Human Development Corporation and in January, the posts of lifeguards will be advertised”.
Rane highlighted that last February when they had protested, CM had assured to accommodate these lifeguards. However due to the pandemic it was delayed and now again they have got assurance from the CM.
“However we have not got any written assurance,” he pointed out.
Rane further thanked all political parties, non-governmental organisations and social activists who supported the movement.
Swati Kerkar, Vice-President of the All Goa Marine Lifesaving Security association said, “It is unfortunate that these questions were delayed but one has to put in efforts and struggle to get something. As long as every lifeguard gets jobs in government service, we will continue to support lifeguards and if the government fails to keep up the assurance, then we will hold a bigger agitation. We have faith in government and we are withdrawing this fast-unto-death believing in the government's verbal assurance.”
