SANGUEM: A group of Selaulim evacuees, led by Adv Anand Gaonkar, has escalated their protest, now planning to wave black flags during the felicitation event for farmers organised by the Water Resources Department (WRD) at Selaulim Dam on August 15. The group had earlier threatened an agitation and boycott of the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections during a meeting held in Bhati Village last week.
The evacuees have slammed the upcoming felicitation function, labelling it an injustice to those who were displaced and have yet to receive promised housing and agricultural plots. According to them, the event is a mere government ploy that mocks their plight.
Adv Anand Gaonkar, representing the affected evacuees, expressed concern over the stark contradiction of the felicitation ceremony for farmers benefiting from Selaulim Dam’s water supply, juxtaposed against the unfulfilled promises made to the displaced families. Gaonkar stressed that they were not opposing the felicitation of farmers, but were condemning the decision to hold the event at Selaulim Dam, which holds significance for the struggling evacuees as it was the home they lost.
WRD sources revealed that the felicitation function will be attended by more than 400 farmers affiliated with various water distribution societies across Sanguem, Curchorem, and Quepem.
The event, organised to commemorate Independence Day, will include a cultural programme in addition to the felicitation ceremony.
Despite efforts dating back to the 1980’s, the Selaulim evacuees have yet to see a satisfactory resolution to their predicament.
Gaonkar acknowledged the sensitive nature of displaying black flags on Independence Day but emphasised that the government’s lack of compassion for the long-suffering Selaulim evacuees has left them with few avenues for protest.
