Team Herald
PANJIM: Former Sancoale Sarpanch Premanand Naik on Wednesday withdrew his hunger strike ahead of the Diwali festival, but the brave warrior for Goa, who put his life at risk against the controversy-ridden Bhutani Infra project, warned that he would resume his hunger strike after two days.
Naik had been on strike for the last 10 days, demanding revocation of the construction licence granted to the Bhutani project at Savorfond, Sancoale.
He broke his fast by accepting a glass of juice from Fr Kenneth Teles. Leaders Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and his supporters and admirers from different walks of life had gathered to witness the moment.
Withdrawing his hunger strike, however, did not mean that the fight against Bhutani would be rolled back, Naik clarified. “I have ended the fast temporarily, but I will resume the fast after two days. But I will not leave this Bhutani,” he said, assuring the gathering that community members would continue the chain hunger strike at Sancoale.
Many political leaders, activists, villagers and community members had appealed to Naik to withdraw his fast keeping in mind his health and the upcoming Diwali festival. Sancoale panchayat member Maurelio Carvalho said that South Goa MP Capt Viriato Fernandes met Naik on Tuesday night and again on Wednesday morning and appealed to him to withdraw his fast and assured him that he would take up his demand.
“With Diwali approaching, we didn’t want Naik’s house to be in darkness during the festival of lights. His health is crucial, and we will continue our fight against the Bhutani Infra project without risking his well-being,” Carvalho said.
Velim MLA Cruz Silva, who was present, said that it was disheartening that a senior citizen had to resort to indefinite hunger strike to be heard. “We will keep pushing for the scrapping of the Bhutani Infra project and stand united with those protesting against it,” he said.
Goenchea Ramponkarancho Ekvott (GRE) general secretary Olencio Simoes and Sancoale panchayat member Tulshidas Naik were also there with Naik on Wednesday morning. Praising Naik for his courage, Simoes claimed that the former Sancoale sarpanch has set a powerful example by standing up against the illegalities in the village and despite his affiliation with the ruling party, Naik spoke against his own government. Simoes demanded that local MLA Antonio Vas had shown little involvement in the protests and he should resign if his request was not heard by the government.
Panchayat member Tulshidas Naik praised Naik for fighting against the State government to scrap Bhutani project. He said, although he is the South Goa District BJP President, his priority is his village. The real issue lies with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Town and Country Planning (TCP) Minister Vishwajit Rane, who he added, had felt the public’s frustration.
Dattaprasad Naik alleged that the Sawant government was out to finish Bhandari Samaj. The government is more interested in protecting and promoting corporates. “If the chief minister wants, he has authority to withdraw any project. Let Bhutani go to court. Why should people go to court? The government is for the people of Goa and not for the interest of corporates,” he said.
Naik also declared that he would soon expose scams in Tiswadi and Bardez where the mamlatdar offices were issuing residence certificates to non-Goans to seek jobs in the State. AAP leader Ramarao Wagh, activists Xencor Polgi and Rama Kankonkar and Peter D’Souza of Congress were also present to show solidarity with Naik.