Team Herald
PANJIM: Several activists were on Wednesday detained by Panjim police for protesting over the Mhadei and Mollem issues, outside the official residence of Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant. They were later released late the same evening.
The protest was led by the Progressive Front of Goa (PFG) that demanded the government should not compromise and succumb to political pressure on the Mhadei and Mollem issues.
The protestors alleged that while Karnataka, with the support from the Centre, has already begun illegal diversion of water from River Mhadei, the State authorities made no effort to visit the site and undo the diversion.
They also said that the State government, to please its Central bosses, is going ahead with destruction of Goa’s environment and ecology, by granting permission to three infrastructure projects, passing through the protected areas of Mollem forests.
The protestors including Mahesh Mhambrey, Hrudaynath Shirodkar, Prajal Sakhardande, Gina Pereira, Cecille Rodrigues were among the many who were detained by the police.
“We had come here to submit a memorandum to the Chief Minister on the Mhadei and Mollem issues. But he refused to accept it and meet us,” Shirodkar said.
Congress MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco later met the Chief Minister on behalf of the protestors. “The Chief Minister declined to meet us. He was basically scared. CM’s act of denial to meet has proved that he has sold Mhadei and Mollem,” he charged.
Earlier speaking, Sakhardande said that Mhadei and Mollem are very serious issues and they need to be addressed in the interest of the State. “Goa’s interest cannot be compromised,” he said.
The leader alleged that the Center has succumbed to Karnataka’s pressure on Mhadei. “We want Goa government to be firm and protect State interest,” he said.
Watch the video on: https://heraldgoa.in/Videos/Agitation-at-CMs-residence-shout-slogans-to-save-Mollem-Mhadei/166171
