CANACONA, AUG 27
Hundreds of residents of Canacona on Friday morning under the banner of ‘Canacona Health Welfare Committee’ marched to the taluka headquarters and demanded improvement in healthcare and a full-fledged hospital.
The residents cried Chief Minister Digambar Kamat’s and health minister’s assurances given more than a month ago as just hoaxes.
The residents gathered in the specially erected pandal, where speakers criticised government’s inaction, especially targeting the chief minister and health minister for their failure in taking action on people’s healthcare.
“Nothing has improved since the chief minister’s and health minister’s assurances in CHC,” cried the speakers at the hunger strike venue.
Earlier, about 800 people with women largely outnumbering men, first assembled at KTC bus stand and began the march carrying banners.
The agitators shouted slogans against the government and demanded better health facilities at the lone government Community Health Centre, Chaudi.
The protestors passed through Chaudi street and assembled in front of the Deputy Collector’s office, where some leaders, including Poinguinim MLA Ramesh Tawadkar addressed the people,before beginning the one-day hunger strike.
Mahatma Gandhi’s statue was first garland at the venue to begin the hunger strike.
CHWC President Diogo D’Silva, Sanjay Komarpant, Valerian Viegas, Krishna Dessai, Socorro Fernandes, RBS Komarpant and others spoke on the occasion.
Galgibaga Parish Priest Fr Simon Fernandes, Fr Franky Fernandes (Bhatpal) and Fr Mathew Fernandes (Agonda) were the three priests who apparently represented their folks in their respective villages.
Friday’s protests also saw some local politicians joining cries against the government. They were Canacona Congress Block President Elvis Fernandes, CMC Deputy Chairman and Chaudi Councilor Dillip Kenkre, Councilor Santosh Gaonkar, Congressman Sanju Naik, Gaodongrim Sarpanch Vishant Gaonkar and others.
However, as soon the speeches got over, people began to trickle out and about 250 were seen still occupying their seats well past 2 pm to continue with the token hunger strike.
There were claims that many people were brought at the venue by sending special transportation, as rains with briefs spells, provided sufficient ambit for the strike.
Many participants were also seen visiting the Chaudi town and returning back to take their seats back, while many others going elsewhere.
Finally, the hunger strike was broken with national anthem and all were served with served drinks, snacks and tea.
Police under the supervision of Canacona PI Raju Raut Dessai were present first regulating the highway traffic during the march and later few policemen kept a close watch at the hunger strike venue.
Interestingly, no representation or any memorandum was submitted to any government authorities.
