VALPOI: At least 50 villagers from Sonshi village held a protest rally at the police station here on Sunday highlighting the harassment meted out to the villagers by the police.
“We have not done any offence. It is our right to get pollution-free air and water. We have come on to the streets to seek justice and to fight for our our (human) rights. There’s nothing wrong in it,” said Sheetal Gawade, a local villager.
She said, “The villagers were only demanding fresh potable water, pure air, employment and permanent doctor at their health centre but instead the police send them (protesters) to jail.”
“Government has to see the sufferings of the children. If their parents are arrested who will take care of them. Authorities must intervene and resolve the issue for the welfare of villagers,” said Shantaram Gawade, a villager from Sonshi.
Valpoi PS, police inspector Dipak Pednekar, told the villagers that he could do little now as the action taken against them was initiated as per law.
Sonshi villagers are facing air pollution due to the trucks carrying ore on a daily basis. Villagers have appealed to the state authorities and mining companies to resolve the issue at least on humanitarian ground.
