http://www.goa-world.com All About Goa & Goans Worldwide GULF-GOANS E-NEWSLETTER (SINCE 1994) Candolim comes to a standstill Candolim came to a standstill on Wednesday morning as around 6000 Candolim villagers took to the streets demanding immediate removal of the River Princess, which has been lying grounded off Candolim-Sinquerim beach for more than eight years. The protestors, who joined hands under the banner of River Princess Hatao Manch, blocked all vital points of the village paralysing normal life of Candolim. Even shops kept their shutters down and public transport remained off the Candolim roads. The villagers led by their MLA, Mr Agnelo Fernandes shouted slogans against the vessel and its owner and threatened that their agitation would be intensified if the grounded vessel was not removed by next monsoon. The village sarpanch, Mr Ramkrishna Kerkar, the Manch convener, Mr Fermino Fernandes and parish priests, Fr George and Fr Jesus and some foreign tourists marched shoulder to shoulder with the protestors. Stating that two companies Cross Chem and Jaisu only came to make their�mockery, the villagers doubted the sincerity of the government in removing the grounded vessel. Mr Agnelo Fernandes lamented that in spite of several requests in the state legislative assembly things did not seem to move and now he was with the people as the stranded vessel has proved to be an environmental disaster for the entire village�of Candolim. Mr Kerkar observed that the grounded vessel had disturbed entire coastline and Candolim had been threatened by seawater. He demanded immediate removal of the vessel or else the villagers would intensify their agitation if no concrete steps were taken. Even foreign tourists pitched in extending their support by mingling with the protestors. In fact a foreign tourist was heard telling off the deputy collector, Mr Mahesh Khorjuvenkar that if it were required to court arrest then he would be the first person to do so. The rasta roko�began at 9 a.m. on Wednesday with the adamant villagers insisting on redressal of their grievances by officials. Enduring the hot sun the protestors were seen standing undeterred on all three points completely blocking Candolim. It was only at 12.30 p.m. that the tourism secretary, Dr Modassir along with the tourism director, Mr Elvis Gomes and the additional collector, North Goa, Mr Swapnil Naik arrived on the scene. They later held a meeting with the agitators and informed them that they would convey the sentiments of the protestors to the government and urge the government to declare the vessel as a state disaster so that steps could be initiated for its removal at the earliest. A meeting in this regard with members of the Manch and officials has been fixed for December 26. The agitation was later called off at 1 p.m. �The deputy superintendent of police, Mr Gundu Naik and Calangute PI, Mr Tushar Vernekar along with a large contingent of police force were present to maintain law and order. Dr Modassir and Mr Gomes, who were rushed to Candolim by the government to pacify the agitated villagers in the afternoon, heard the villagers and assured to place their demand before it. They accordingly moved a note on the issue later in the afternoon for government�s consideration. The government officials, however, pleaded helplessness in giving any assurance to the villagers as regards to the time frame for removal of the vessel as the matter with that regard was in the High Court. The newly formed organisation of the Candolim villagers has given 10 days to the government to consider their demand and told the government officials that they would meet them to know the status of their demand on expiry of that period and if the government fails to meet their demand they would intensify their agitation. Navhindtimes.com Goa-World http://www.goa-world.com Gulf Goans Mailing List email: [email protected] The First e-Newsletter for the Goans in the Gulf region and beyond ~ Important Notice ~ Articles/Messages appearing here contain copyright material. They are meant for your personal use and may not be reproduced or redistributed. While the goa-world.com team makes every effort to ensure accuracy, we can not be held responsible for the content nor the views expressed, which may not necessarily be those of either the original author or www.goa-world.com team members or associates. Please feel free to contact us via email [email protected] . The First Online Konkani Music Station - Started on March 14, 2000 http://www.live365.com/stations/61664 Konkani Video on You Tube http://www.youtube.com/uly334
[Goanet] Candolim comes to a standstill - 6000 villagers took to the streets !!!
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