JOSEPH FERNANDES
Police crack downs on Goa Revolution Day have pushed the 76-day Karapur protest to a volatile turning point. After being blocked, manhandled, and detained at Old Goa Police Station for attempting to raise awareness against the controversial mega housing project at Azad Maidan in Panjim, defiant villagers have now issued an ultimatum: scrap the controversial pro ject or face a protest at Jantar Mantar in the national capi tal on the 100th-day of their agitation. Addressing the me dia, activist Dr Swapnil Salelkar said the protest ers had travelled to Azad Maidan on Goa Revolu tion Day to pay tribute to freedom fighters and highlight the ongoing Karapur issue. “Yesterday on the oc casion of Goa Revolution Day, we went to Azad Maidan to pay tribute to the freedom fighters and to raise awareness about the Karapur is sue.
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However, the po lice stopped us outside Azad Maidan and did not permit us to attend the State-level function. The police manhandled us at the site, some pro testers were injured, and we were detained at Old Goa Police Station the entire day,” Dr Salelkar complained. Speaking about the future course of the agitation, he said the movement continues to pursue legal and admin istrative remedies. “We are following up with various authori ties, including the TCP Department, Collector, and Environment De partment.
The matter is before the court and the deadline to demolish the alleged illegal wall was passed, but now there are talks of another in spection, which raises doubts. We have written to Prime Minister Nar endra Modi. If the issue remains unresolved, we may travel to Delhi and stage a protest at Jan tar Mantar on the 100th day of our agitation,” he added. Alleging that protesters, particularly women and senior citizens, were prevented from entering Azad Maidan, Nita Morajkar, a local, said, “The police stopped us before we could enter Azad Maidan. We had gone there to pay tribute on the occasion of Kranti Din, but were chased away and denied entry. Many were senior citizens, yet the police pushed us without consideration,” she said. Claiming that an elderly woman was injured during the incident, Mora jkar said, “A barricade fell on the toe of an elderly woman, who suffered heavy bleeding and was taken for treatment. We learned that her toenail had to be removed.
Despite this, we were taken to Old Goa Police Station as if we had committed some crime. We were unarmed and had gone there peacefully,” she said. Expressing disappointment over the treatment meted out to senior citi zens, a village elder, Devki Gadi, said, “At this age, I went there only to save my village. The police treated us as if we were troublemakers. We were surrounded by cops at every gate and not allowed to enter. There was no respect shown to senior citizens.” Questioning the government’s commitment to women’s empowerment, Manjita Chandelkar, a resident, said, “The government speaks about Nari Shakti, but has it seen why women have come onto the streets? We are here to save Goa for future generations. We were once supporters of the government, but today we are being forced to protest. Until this project is scrapped, we will not end our agitation.” Referring to the injured protester, Chandelkar added: “A woman was badly injured when a barricade fell on her toe. Despite her condition, we were taken away in buses to Old Goa Police Station as though we were criminals.” Praising the courage shown by the women during the protest, another resident said, “The women created a new chapter on Revolution Day.
They faced the police fearlessly and stood united even when they were detained. Their courage has inspired other women to come forward and fight for their villages and environment.” Describing the events at Azad Maidan as a turning point in the move ment, Sanjivini Gaunkar said, “The real fight began on Kranti Din. Until now we were protesting in Karapur, but by taking our voice to Azad Maidan, our movement has moved a step forward. We will continue our struggle until the project is scrapped. The coming days will see a stronger movement, and we are determined to win this battle.” Meanwhile, Karapur Panchayat member Ujwala Kavlekar highlighted the sacrifices being made by villagers participating in the agitation. “People have left their jobs, farms, and family responsibilities to save the village. Even schoolchildren join the protest after classes. They understand what is at stake and fear that the project could threaten their future.
Despite water shortages and daily hardships, villagers continue to participate in the agitation. We will not give up,” she said. The protesters reiterated their demand for the project to be scrapped and vowed to continue their agitation until their concerns are addressed.
