Team Herald
BICHOLIM: The Mhadei Bachao Andolan (MBA) leaders recently urged Goans to restrict the entry of all the central government ministers into the State till they get their rights on Mhadei.
MBA had staged an agitation near the government primary building in Bicholim, which was attended by NGOs, freedom fighters and other local leaders.
Speaking on the occasion freedom fighter, Nagesh Karmali spoke about the sorry state of the Mandovi River and warned that if Mhadei water is diverted, then it would be the death of Mandovi. “We need Mhadei as already Mandovi is polluted. The government is not doing anything to desilt it and if Mhadei water is restricted, then there could be a situation wherein we would be able to walk through the river as it will be totally dry” Karmali stated.
He urged Goans to strongly oppose and restrict the entry of all the central ministers into the State. “As the central minister had to face opposition when he came for the inauguration of IFFI, now he has no guts to enter the State again for its closing ceremony. We should restrict the entry of such central ministers who are not supporting the State on Mhadei” Karmali added.
Arvind Bhatikar who was also present said that that people from Gujarat are good in business and that there are two such persons at the Centre who are making a business of politics.
Convenor of Goa Suraksha Manch, Subhash Velingkar stated that Mhadei issue is not just restricted to only 192 villages from where the river flows but it affects entire Goa. “If Mhadei River is diverted, then in the next few years, most of the wild life sanctuaries will be destroyed. Goa will become another desert and so there is a need to protect the river” Velingkar added.
