Goa Bandhara Protesters Escalate Movement, Shift to Panaji's Azad Maidan
In a significant escalation of their ongoing agitation, Mirabag protesters have announced they will shift their protest venue to Azad Maidan in Panaji starting Monday. This decision comes as the protest entered its 47th day on Sunday, with demonstrators firmly rejecting Chief Minister Pramod Sawant's verbal assurances regarding the controversial bandhara project.
Rejection of Verbal Promises and Demand for Written Guarantees
Protest leaders have made it clear they will not settle for anything less than complete scrapping of the bandhara project through official written orders. "We are not against a jackwell project per se, but we want a written order scrapping the bandhara project completely," stated protest leader Sanket Bhandari. "The chief minister can take the jackwell anywhere else. What we will not accept is an oral promise that can be reversed tomorrow."
The community's frustration stems from Wednesday's meeting with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, which was facilitated by BJP state president Damodar Naik. Protesters described the meeting as hurried and inconclusive, with Apa Naik noting, "Everything was wrapped up in 30 minutes. That is not how a serious issue deserves to be handled."
Environmental and Livelihood Concerns Driving the Protest
Residents have been opposing the Rs 400-crore bandhara project across the Zuari river due to multiple serious concerns:
- Widespread flooding of agricultural land that could devastate farming communities
- Potential damage to homes and residential areas
- Irreversible environmental damage to the village ecosystem
- Threat to livelihoods across three constituencies: Sanguem, Sanvordem, and Curchorem
The protesters argue that the project's financial rationale has become questionable since the scope has purportedly changed. They demand that any alternative plan should involve fresh cost estimates and a new tender process at a different site entirely.
Political Response and Protest Methods
Notably, not a single MLA from the three affected constituencies has publicly supported the movement or visited the protest site, according to the demonstrators. This perceived lack of political support has further fueled the community's determination to continue their agitation.
The protest has already seen various forms of demonstration including:
- Torch rallies through affected villages
- Gheraos of local administrative offices
- A dramatic banner protest inside the state legislative assembly
With the shift to Azad Maidan in Panaji, the protesters aim to bring their concerns directly to the state capital, increasing pressure on the government to address their demands formally and comprehensively.
