-- Samir Umarye BICHOLIM APRIL 6: About 200 irate Mulgao villagers today disrupted the entire traffic on the Mapusa - Bicholim road demanding immediate action against the mining company operating at Shirsi and transfer of the Bicholim DySP,
Shamba Sawant. It may be recalled that the villagers led by Bicholim MLA, Rajesh Patnekar through a meeting had declared to stop the traffic today after Mulgao Deputy sarpanch, Prashant alias Vishalsen Gad and Panch, Nilesh Gad were hit by a mining truck and later they were assaulted by the DySP, Shamba Sawant. Today at about 11 am the Mulgao villagers arrived in large number on the road. The traffic was disrupted for almost 5 hours. In the mean time the police diverted the entire traffic from Assonora via Latembarcem towards Bicholim. Some of the traffic was diverted from the Mulgao village towards Walshi and Bicholim. The mining trucks sighting danger kept themselves away from the roads. The mob demanded to see he DySP who was told to be on a leave. The Bicholim Deputy collector, Arvind Bugde tried to pacify the mob but they inturn asked to call the higher authorities. As the mob did not disperse the Additional Collector, Swapnil Naik arrived at the site at about 2 pm. The Bicholim MLA, Rajesh Patnekar explained the situation to Naik and demanded to stop the mining company. He also highlighted the provision under which the mining company can be stopped from operating. "They do not have a weighing machine at the plant and as per the provision operation of such mining should be stopped immediately" Patnekar told. The mob told Naik about the authorities from Bicholim who have failed in carrying out their duties. Talking about the assault on the elected representatives the mob demanded immediate transfer of the DySP, Shamba Sawant. "The DySP should be immedately transfered else we would be forced to carry out a morcha at the police station" Shiv Sena Goa unit chief, Upendra Gaonkar warned. The deputy sarpanch, Prashant Gad told his ordeal to the Additional collector who inturn suggested to file a written complaint against the DySP. The mob dispersed only when Naik assured that he would forward the matter to the higher -ups and action would be initiated against the mining company. A large police force was deployed at Mulgao and at specific locations from Assonora to Bicholim. DySP, Mahesh Gaonkar, Goltekar; PI, Vaigankar, C S Patil were also present to monitor the situation.
