-- Samir Umarye BICHOLIM, NOV 18 – The agitating villagers from Amona, Navelim, Kudnem, Sonshi and Pisurlem on Saturday have threatened to shut down the mining unit in the area, if their demands continue to be ignored by mining company. The 400 villagers who represent the Amona Bachao Samiti (ABS) and the Panchakroshi Nagrik Samiti (PNS) have also decided to continue their agitation by disrupting transportation of ore. Their indefinite strike began on Tuesday, after the company failed to meet their demands. A permanent solution to the unemployment problem, compensation for the loss of agriculture, supply of hygienic water and remedial measures to control pollution are some of the demands. Addressing a press conference at Navelim-Sanquelim, ABS President Sagar Naik came down heavily on the government for failing to support them in their agitation. "We are even ready to go in jail, but the future consequences would be worse and we will forcibly shutdown the company, if required," warned Naik. "We urge all other truck owners to support us without getting afraid of the company's threats" he added. Pratap Gawas, brother of local MLA Gurudas Gawas, tried to break the deadlock by requesting the villagers to give the company a one-month period to resolve the issue. The villagers, however, rejected the suggestion and claimed they were ready to remain on the road for a month, as part of their protest. PNS President Rupesh Naik, Bicholim taluka Shiv Sena Chief Anand Narvekar, Mangaldas Ghadi, Sagar Dhargalkar and Praveen Phadte were among those present at the press conference.
