PANJIM: With no concrete rehabilitation solution from the government, around 35-40 kiosk owners, who once operated from outside the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) until the demolition in July, have decided to intensify their agitation.

Their protest against government’s failure to rehabilitate them entered third day on Wednesday. “We are only getting empty assurances. There is no sign of fulfilling the promises given to the displaced vendors,” Domnick Pereira, who has been leading the campaign for the vendors, said.

The vendors, claiming to have lost their only livelihood owing to an unplanned demolition drive by the local authorities, have warned to intensify their agitation. “The election code is anytime expected after which the government will find an excuse to not rehabilitate us. We need fulfillment of their promise else we will agitate further,” said a vendor.

Goa Trinamool Congress leaders Swati Kerkar and Priya Rathod visited the protesting kiosk and fruit vendors to express solidarity. “BJP government demolished their shops under the garb of building better road infrastructure. Reports suggest that over 76 kiosks were bulldozed overnight displacing hundreds of Goans. They are now demanding rehabilitation for the same. On the first day of the two-day special assembly session, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant assured the kiosk owners that they will be rehabilitated within 8 days. However, the protestors on ground remain unconvinced,” reads a press statement issued by the party.

Both the women leaders have vowed to protest until all the demands of the vendors are met.