TEAM HERALD
CANACONA: Residents and family members of Prisca Fernandes, a young woman killed in an accident at Bhatpal last week, staged a peaceful candlelit five-km protest march from Chaudi-Canacona to the accident site at Ordhofond-Bhatpal late Tuesday evening.
“It was a march as a remembrance for Prisca Fernandes and a silent protest against the wilful overloading and rashly driven vehicles along the national highway,” said a speaker, soon after lighting the candles and shortly before the silent march began at the KTC bus stand, Chaudi.
Canacona Municipal Council (CMC) Chairperson Simon Rebello also took part in the march, while a few protestors carried placards demanding justice to Prisca, which were later placed at the accident site.
The march covered a distance of over 5 kms along the NH-17 to reach the Ordhofond bus stop, near Forest Check Post Batpal, where candles and placards with messages were placed before converging for a prayer meet for the soul of the accident victim.
Residents have demanded the streamlining of traffic along the route and some of the demands include the declaration of an accident-prone zone, erecting a zebra crossing zone, setting up traffic signal lights and enforce speed limit for vehicles at the dangerous junction and proper illumination of the junction area.
“The NH-17 stretch from Mokardamoll-Bhatpal till Partagal junction is responsible for several fatal and life-threatening accidents,” argued a resident.
There are also demands to shift the forest check post to another place to avert haphazard stationing of loaded trucks, which has led to traffic indiscipline. Residents also demanded suitable compensation from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to Prisca’s mother and her elder daughter.
