TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Environmentalists on Monday came out strongly against the government wherein mining-dependent people heckled activists and disrupted a seminar on the Shah Commission report, in Margao on Saturday claiming the government provoked the pro-mining lobby against them.
Ramesh Gawas who claimed that he was the main target of the mob, accused Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar of provoking the mining-dependent people by making statements like ‘it would not be a surprise if people affected by mining closure attack environmentalists’.
“I am more concerned about him (Claude Alvares),” Gawas said quoting Parrikar. Gawas alleged that the entire incident was ‘well orchestrated’ and planned in connivance with mining lobby, union leaders and State government”.
Parrikar, however, preferred ‘not to comment’ on the ugly incident in Margao.
“No comment,” Parrikar responded when asked for his reaction and failure of police to register cases against anyone from the mob. He clarified that his statement (issued last week) was very much clear and has nothing to do with the incident. “No comment… nothing to do with the incident,” he added.
Parrikar, last week, had expressed apprehension that growing impatience among people in the aftermath of the ban on mining activity could precipitate into what he called a ‘flare-up.’
Parrikar had also said that the government has limited options at its disposal if such an eventuality arises, as people are agitated over the loss of livelihood, following an interim ban on mining by Supreme Court last year.
Another environmentalist Rajendra Kerkar condemning the incident said “the act of government and police makes it clear that mining lobby rules the State”.
Pointing to chief minister’s statement that government cannot do much to stop the situation from deteriorating, Kerkar said “being chief minister and home minister it is his duty to ensure safety of each and everyone”.
Meanwhile, Goa Foundation director and petitioner in the Supreme Court, Dr Claude Alvares, refused to comment on the issue.
Activists outraged
MARGAO: The incident in Margao wherein mining-dependent people disrupted a seminar on the Shah Commission report has triggered outrage amongst the Civil Society and others with Adv Radharao Gracias saying people are increasingly becoming rabid and intolerant.
Social activist Sidharth Karapurkar said the incident appeared staged managed while Kim Miranda, who was one of the participants at the seminar lamented that it is indeed sad that clear attempts are being made to suppress the voices.
