Yesterday was a historic Sunday for Panchwadi villagers in Goa's Ponda taluka. The village Panchayat had its gram sabha. One of the points on the agenda has been to approve or disapprove the proposed exclusive road for mining ore transportation and construction of Jetty for the loading of the Ore. Villagers paddy fields are meant to be sacrificed to benefit the mining company - Sesa Goa owned by British corporate Vedanta who is busy plundering Goa's mineral resources with complete blessings of the Indian and Goa government.
As soon as issue came up today for discussion at the gram sabha over 200 people opposed mining roads as well as the Jetty. While only 20 people stood up to support the mining company's proposal - most of them with business interest in mining trucks. Sarpanch refused to register majority decision of villagers against the mining roads and mining jetty. This created an uproar. Sarpanch, Secretary, and Ponda BDO had to be escorted out of Panchayat building with Police protection. It's irony of democracy after mining company purchases and selects elects representatives.
Later in the evening villagers opposed to the mining roads and Jetty created road blockade in the village. Some miscreants also pelted stones at the Panchayat office. Further details are awaited.
No comments:
Post a Comment