MARGAO: In a shocking revelation it has come to light that nearly 35 drowning cases were reported in Goa in the last few years at mining pits, stone quarries, canals and waterfalls.
Statistics revealed that the above cases include the deaths of four innocent children in a stone quarry at Tuem in 2019, followed by a 24-year-old youth meeting a watery grave in a mining pit at Curpe, Sanguem. A student met a watery grave at Cansaulim, while a 21-year-old youth died at Revora, Thivim and a 19-year-old youth drowned at Nanora. On Sunday, 17-year-old youth Mohit Kashyap lost his life at Nanora.
Expressing concern over the statistics, Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao on Monday accused the BJP government of failing to take preventive measures and attributed the deaths reported in stone quarries and mining pits to the government’s negligence.
In his demand, the Leader of Opposition insisted that the government make public the report of the committee formed by the Department of Mines.
He requested that the action taken report by both the District Collectors, based on the directives issued by the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights in July 2023, be made available in the public domain.
It may be recalled that the Department of Mines and Geology had formed a committee on June 30, 2023, with the mandate to monitor and conduct inspections of mining areas in Goa.
This initiative aimed at implementing preventive measures to address safety concerns and mitigate the risk of accidents.
After the unfortunate drowning death of a student in an abandoned quarry at Cansaulim, Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR) had taken suo motu cognisance and had asked both the District Collectors to conduct surveys of all quarries and verify whether they are legal or illegal. The GSCPCR had also instructed both the Collectors to restrict access to the quarries by fencing with barbed wires to avoid future deaths, claimed Yuri.
Yuri appealed to the Goans to take utmost precautions while visiting beaches, waterfalls and lakes, etc.
