Team Herald
VASCO: Residents of Mormugao and activists on Monday staged a peaceful protest at Vasco opposing the Mhadei water diversion and the recent enhancing of coal handling at the Mormugao port.
The situation became tense when the protesters marched to the Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) gates and found them shut leaving them frustrated. They were trying to enter the MPA premises to submit a memorandum to the MPA chairman. Later, a 10-member delegation submitted their representation to MPA Deputy Chairman G P Rai and sought a discussion on the recent decision to enhance coal handling at the port.
The protestors shouted slogans against coal handling company and the MPA while, many demanded resignation of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and BJP MLAs.
Activist Abhijeet Prabhudsai stated that Mhadei River and coal handling issue plaguing Goa are inter-connected, if coal handling in the State comes to an end then the Mhadei issue will be resolved.
He charged that Mhadei water is diverted for the coal companies and this is evident from the Karnataka government website and Sagarmala Project details.
Former minister Alina Saldanha said that Goa is on the verge of extinction. Today, the State is polluted and is supported by MPA which is doubling coal handling. She appealed to the people to come on the streets and oppose it.
AAP Vice President Pratima Coutinho said that the government has forced the people of Mormugao and others to come on roads for every issue. She said that people are suffering due to coal pollution but the government is busy helping capitalists.
Former Mormugao chairperson Tara Kerkar demanded resignation of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for having betrayed Goans on Mhadei River and for conniving with the Centre to divert its waters.
TMC member Jayesh Shetgaonkar and activist Xencor Polgi and Nazir Khan addressed the protestors.
A huge police force and CISF personnel were deployed at the MPA gate.