PANJIM: Hundreds of mining dependent people on Tuesday began an indefinite chain sit-in protest at Azad Maidan, Panjim, demanding immediate resumption of legal mining in the State.
The protestors under the banner of Goa Mining People’s Front have threatened to intensify the agitation if their demands are not met immediately.
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“This is indefinite peaceful protest. We want government to know that the situation is bleak in rural Goa. The people dependent on mining are going through critical phase and might have to starve if mining does not resume immediately,” GMPF leader Christopher Fonseca claimed.
The protestors have alleged that government has failed to make a strong representation to Supreme Court till date, putting across the plea of the community, whose livelihoods are at stake due to suspension of mining operations.
“The Supreme Court should take a sympathetic view of people’s issues and for that the State government has to make a strong case,” Fonseca said. He said that the protest is the “beginning of a larger agitation that would not end unless our demands are met.”
“There will be protests in various forms across the State. The issues related to the livelihood of the people are involved in this case. Around three lakh people are directly involved and as far as Goa’s finances are concerned they have gone haywire,” Fonseca opined.
