This time, kids also participated in the protest by holding placards bearing slogans like “Amkam zogpak zai” (We want to survive), “Stop Transport, Make Bypass First” and ‘No Bypass Road, No Transport’.
Reiterating their stand of not allowing ore transportation till proper infrastructure, including a mining bypass, is created, Adv Sanjit Dessai said they are ready to negotiate with the government, but not at the cost of human lives.
Informing that more and more people were joining the struggle for road safety, Mission Bypass leader Pradip Kakodkar said that some NGOs had also extended their support to the protestors.
Regarding the government’s assurances to ensure the safety of the people, Kakodkar said that people had a very bad experience with the assurances on road safety measures.
“Even the former chief minister assured and did nothing. That is why people do not have faith in the government,” Kakodkar.
He also urged the authorities to respect the sentiments of the people and to start the work on the bypass road immediately without resuming ore transportation.
