Mining dependents send SOS to PM, vow to teach BJP a lesson

Plan black flags at union ministers attending Goa events, to stage Goa bandh

The Goan Network | DECEMBER 14, 2018, 03:55 AM IST

PONDA: While petitioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi to seek his intervention in the mining issue, the mining dependents have expressed anger over the virtual absence of BJP's central leaders during their three-day protest in New Delhi and have decided to intensify their agitation in Goa.
After hundreds of mining dependents staged a protest at RamLeela Maidan on Tuesday and Wednesday, their agitation culminated at the Jantar Mantar on Thursday.
Convenor of Goa Mining Peoples Front Puti Gaonkar said they had submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his intervention in the mining issue.
The memorandum stated: “I request your good self as leader of common people, which strives towards working for the betterment of masses, to please look into the matter and take necessary steps to ensure a sustainable livelihood to lakhs of people.”
Upset that none of BJP's central leaders, apart from Union Ayush Minister and Goa's BJP leader Shripad Naik, had turned up to support their cause, the mining dependents have decided to intensify their agitation in the State by showing black flags to union ministers participating at any events in Goa and to observe a Goa bandh.
Speaking to The Goan, Gaonkar said apart from Union Minister Shripad Naik, no other BJP union minister or central leader had visited them.
“We have not got any assurance from this government. Hence, we have decided to intensify our agitation on reaching Goa. On Goa Liberation day, we will convene a meeting and will decide about our future course of action to observe a Goa bandh,” he said.
“Since we have not got any concrete assurance from the Union government or from BJP leaders regarding our demands, we will form village-wise committees and appoint convenors to intensify our agitation,” he said.
Addressing the mining dependents at Jantar Mantar, Gaonkar said it was high time that the people of Goa teach BJP a lesson.
“We have done no irregularities, but we target those who have made us suffer. We will teach a lesson to this BJP government very soon,” warned Gaonkar, while adding that they would intensify their agitation in Goa.
He dared the BJP leaders to reveal their plans regarding the resumption of mining. “If you don’t, the people will teach you lesson in Goa,” cautioned Gaonkar.
During the last three days, several politicians from Goa had gone to Delhi to meet the mining dependents and to express solidarity with them. The mining dependents had shifted their agitation to the national capital hoping that their protest would draw the attention of union ministers and central BJP leaders.   

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