PONDA: With no response from the Centre and State governments to restart mining in Goa, the mining dependents under the banner of All Goa Mining People`s Front (AGMPF) have now decided to protest at the Khandepar bridge site during the inauguration on December 23 by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.
The decision was taken at the AGMPF meeting held in Usgao on Wednesday, which was attended by around 400 mining dependents. Hundreds of mines dependents are expected to protest at Khandepar Bridge site with black flags against Central Government’s failure to restart mining in Goa. They have demanded that the bridge be inaugurated by a senior citizen from Khandepar instead of Gadkari.
The mining dependents have planned Goa bandh, the date of which will be announced at a meeting to be held in Ponda next week.
AGMPF leader Puti Gaonkar, Dharbandora Truck Association president Balaji Gawas and Goa Suraksha Manch leader Subash Velingkar were also present.
Puti Gaonkar said, “Despite agitating in Delhi, the Central Government neglected us and the grievances of mining dependents and failed in providing an assurance on resumption of mining in Goa.”
He said, “Lakhs of people are dependent on mining for their livelihood. However, with the government not taking cognisance of their issues and their agitation, the mining dependents will not allow the Khandepar Bridge to be inaugurated by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.”
Gaonkar said, “As there is no effort from the government to restart mining, the mining dependents have decided to hold a Goa bandh. To make the agitation successful, a meeting has been convened by mining dependents on December 27 to constitute coordination committee to make the agitation successful. The Goa bandh date will be fixed at the meeting.
Subash Velingkar said, “The MGP and Goa Forward Party failed to find a solution to the mining issue. Both these parties should clear their stand on mining issue and should support the mining dependents and provide justice to them. If it is not possible then they should withdraw support to Government.”
