Vasco: The Congress held a silent rally against the coal pollution in the Vasco town and Mormugao and demanded the closure of coal handling in the interest of people. 

Sankalp Amonkar, Adv. Pratima Coutinho, Jose Philip D'Souza, GPCC President Girish Chodankar were present at the rally. 

"We were denied permission by the Deputy Collector at the last moment claiming that the Defence Minister was in town. All we wanted to tell the Minister Milind Naik and the Government of Goa is not to play with the health and well being of people of Mormugao and Goa. We had warned that we will take to the streets if the MPT Chairman and relevant authorities don't meet us and clear our demands," said Adv. Pratima Coutinho. 

"The MLAs of all the 4 constituencies have to come out and stop the pollution. They are expected to protect the interests of people. It is our attempt to do the same by standing with the people and it has been a great success," said Sankalp Amonkar.  

"Atleast take into account the demands the people are making to stop pollution and stop coal," said NCP Goa President Jose Philip D'Souza. 

"The Congress will stand with the people of Goa. However we are not against MPT doing business but are against the wrongful handling of the cargo at their berths," said GPCC President Girish Chodankar.