THE GOAN NETWORK
VASCO: Defying the cancellation of permission for a peaceful march on Thursday, hundreds of people along with political parties, activists, NGOs and anti-coal groups on Thursday staged a protest rally in the port town against coal pollution.
The rally had gathered near Damodar Temple in Vasco and the group was scheduled to leave for a protest rally, when they were informed that permission had been cancelled on account of the defence ministers visit to the Goa Shipyard.
Undeterred by the last moment cancellation, however, the crowd decided to walk along the footpaths with banners and placards against coal pollution and went ahead with the rally, even as a strong police force was deployed to prevent any law and order situation.
Speaking to reporters, GPCC President Girish Chodankar said people and the Congress party were not against MPT or its business, but were against pollution caused by handling bad cargo.
GPCC Vice President Sankalp Amonkar challenged local MLA and Urban Development Minister Milind Naik to come clear with his views on coal pollution and said the people had gathered to protest against pollution.
NCP State President Jose Philip D’Souza said it was time the government comes down heavily on coal pollution and intervenes to ensure coal handling units take measures to control pollution while operating in the port.
Capt Viriato Fernandes of Goencho Awaaz said the mandate of the people was against the coal pollution and that this was a fight against health hazards caused by coal handling.
GPCC Mahila President Pratima Coutinho and activist Suraj Chodankar also spoke at the rally.
