QUEPEM: Locals of Cudegal, the terminated employees of Cudegal Fomento Mines, on Thursday had a peaceful protest at the company gates against e-auction of ore transportation, which landed 80 of the protesters in Quepem jail. The protesters are jobless since close down of the company in 2015.
According to Quepem police station inspector Deepak Pednekar, detained workers of Cudegal mines were interrupting the transportation work. They were first taken to Curchorem police station and later kept in Quepem police station premises, before they were taken them to Dharbandora Deputy Collector, under section 151.
Secretary of worker association of Cudegal mine Nilesh Naik said, “We held many agitations, peaceful dharnas and also written many letters to government authority about this issue. Deepak Pauskar had ensured us to find a solution to this issue and would not allow e-auction, ore transportation till we get justice from government, but today we are protesting because they changed their mind on this issue and allowed e-auction, ore transport which we had protested against as locals of the village and it’s our right.”
Nilesh Velip, a local criticised and blamed local MLA Pauskar accusing him of making U-turn on his decision. He further added, “We will continue the agitation till we get justice. This is total injustice against us as we are raising our issue peacefully but the government and the company are not understanding our problem.”
Vinayaka Gawas panch member of Darbandodora said, “We are with them to fight against injustice which they are going through. Today, all mining dependents are facing problems of livelihood. Local workers are fighting for their rights to secure their jobs. Government should solve the issue of locals.”
