-- Samir Umarye
BICHOLIM: The mining affected villagers from Mulgao have appointed Adv Ajitsingh Rane as their legal advisor to put up their case before the government and have also decided to fight till they gain their rights. It may be recalled that on July 16, 2011, the fields of the villagers were damaged after a mining pit gave way and the sludge entered the village. The locals under the banner of Mulgao People Action Committee from Gaonkarwada- Mulgao recently petitioned Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and local MLA Naresh Sawal as they are yet to get any compensation for the losses they suffered. On Sunday, a special meeting was convened to discuss the issue and the villagers appointed Adv Rane as their legal advisor. Speaking on the occasion, Adv Rane asked the people not to keep quiet till they achieve their rights. “ All the goodies of mining were grabbed by the mining company and they gave only pollution to the common man,” said Adv Rane and added, “ We should be united to fight the battle so that the government and the company are forced to compensate the farmers.” Adv Pushparaj Navelkar said the company is trying to avoid the issue and expressed his support to the cause. Committee president Prakash Parab said, “ The incident had affected livelihood of over 1,200 people. We have demanded that the company should compensate the farmers at a rate of Rs 12 per sq mtr, give employment to the local youth once the legal mining starts, de- silt all agricultural fields, water reservoirs, irrigational canals, provide safety at mining sites, demarcate and resurvey mining boundary,” said Parab. Mulgao Sarpanch Sujal Redkar, Deputy Sarpanch Shruti Gatwal, Panch Vasant Gad, social worker Swati Kerkar, Govind Mandrekar were among others present for the meeting.
