Rasta roko called off for sake of people’s convenience
TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Cuncolim flood victims on Friday marched to the residence of local MLA Rajan Naik demanding full compensation and reconstruction of compound walls under the CM’s relief fund.
Shouting slogans against the Cuncolim MLA and demanding his resignation over his failure to get adequate compensation, they demanded that the MLA should forcefully take up their plea with Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar for enhanced relief under the Chief Minister’s relief fund
Even as the MLA promised that the Chief Minister would sanction funds under the relief fund, the protestors demanded that he give the promise in writing, which was turned down by the MLA. While reports did the rounds that the MLA was pushed by his hand in the melee, Rajan has flatly denied the reports.
The victims led by Cuncolim Municipal Chairperson Devendra Desai assembled near the Sanvorcotto bridge this morning to stage a rasta roko, but instead marched to the MLA’s residence on grounds the rasta roko would only inconvenience the local populace. The Cuncolim police initially stopped the victims on the road leading to the MLA’s house, but later allowed them to assembly near the residence. A large posse of policemen mobilised to maintain law and order maintained a close vigil around the MLA’s residence as a precautionary measure.
Rajan later told the media that the Chief Minister has promised compensation to the victims under the CM’s relief fund, but claimed that some people are indulging in politics. The CMC Chairperson Devendra Desai, however, denied the allegation, saying he was representing the victims as their ward Councillor, terming the MLA’s allegation as baseless.
Meanwhile, Desai said the victims will lodge a complaint against the GSIDC after receiving documents under the Right to Information Act. He said the victims will meet to chalk out the future course of action.
