GAURESH SATTARKAR
In a powerful display of community de fiance, a massive mashal (torchlight) rally surged through the streets of Cur chorem to Mirabag on Sun day, as citizens intensified their agitation against the proposed Zuari River band hara project. The rally, which saw ener getic leadership from local women and support from po litical figures like GPCC pres ident Amit Patkar and for mer PWD Minister Deepak Pauskar, marked 13 days of a protest that residents claim the government is ignoring. Alleging a complete lack of dialogue from ministers Subhash Shirodkar and Sub hash Phal Dessai and MLA Nilesh Cabral, the protest ers have now issued a fresh ultimatum, announcing a morcha at the Sanvordem Panchayat on February 23 to demand that the project be scrapped immediately.
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The rally began with prayers at the temple, proceeded through Curchorem Market and Shivaji Circle, and con cluded at the Mirabag protest site. People from Sanguem, Sanvordem, and Curchorem participated in large numbers. Organisers said the Mashal rally was held to demon strate the strength, unity, and determination of the people. “From Pernem to Canacona, Goans are protesting; the BJP brought all Goans on the road. One minister said he will bring 45,000 people to protect him, but Goa has 15 lakh people. He must know 15 lakh is more than 45,000—only 3 percent. If these 97 percent of people get together, this minister will be washed away. People don’t want this pro ject, but the government is imposing it on them. The gov ernment is not clear; one paper said 50 MLD bandhara, in the second paper said a 30 MLD pump, and the latest notice released for public hearing said 60 MLD. The government doesn’t know how much they want to eat. Three MLAs must sit and decide. This is a triple engine MLAs’ scam. Curchorem, Sanguem, and Sanvordem are three BJP MLAs, and they have decided how much money they will eat,” said Amit Patkar, GPCC President. He added, “Maybe distribution is not done perfectly, so change it to different MLDs. If this bandhara becomes a reality, then around 500 houses will be destroyed. This government is only showing off Hindutva for appearances; actually, since the BJP government came into power, actual Hindutva is in danger. Minister’s goons attacked Rama Kankonkar, and he still isn’t getting justice. If they are doing such things, then just think what they will do with common people. Be strong. This government is ready to see when people will get bored and stop protesting. I will always be with you.” “The government forced people onto the streets to “wake up” the government. Members of smaller communi ties are now protesting and people from across Goa who feel they are facing injustice have begun coming together. The change that people are demanding is not far away. As Goans once united during the Liberation movement to free Goa, a similar spirit of unity and resistance could emerge again if public grievances continue to be ignored,” said San ket Bhandari, Mirabag resident. “There is a “new pattern of corruption” in the functioning of certain government projects. Projects are first proposed despite anticipating public opposition, and consultants are appointed in the process. These consultants act in favour of vested interests. Like the proposed Unity Mall, around Rs 25 crore was reportedly spent on consultancy and relat ed processes before the project was eventually scrapped. A similar pattern could be repeated in the bandhara project: as protests intensify, consultancy costs may increase and the project could later be scrapped, resulting in financial losses to the public exchequer. Three MLAs will benefit from such processes,” said Rama Kankonkar, activist.
