State Capital Brought To Its Knees
THE complete blockade at the KTC bus stand in Panaji by thousands of agitating people affected by mining closure – they blocked the entry and exit points to Panaji city – was a classic example of how law and order failed hopelessly in the capital city. Vehicular traffic ground to a halt for four agonisisng hours. Innumerous motorists were left stranded along the way, and it was pathetic to see hundreds of schoolchildren holed up in their school buses in the hot afternoon sun. Their parents waited anxiously worrying about safe return of their children. Fortunately, there were a few good Samaritans who brought food and water for the hapless children. The question therefore arises as to why the Goa police took so long to disperse the protesters, book those who turned violent and restore normalcy, even after the state government had earlier clamped section 144 which prohibits the assembly of more than four persons and staging agitations?
A F NAZARETH, ALTO PORVORIM
Those Harrowing Hours In Panaji
THE people dependent on iron ore mining ran amok on Monday, bringing the state capital to its knees. Their protest caused great hardship to the students answering their examinations, tourists, women, the elderly and other thousands of people. The protest not only inconvenienced the people but made the visitors suffer at the Dabolim airport, railway stations and bus stands. Those affected by the protest had no role in illegal mining activities and profiteering thereof. Why did not the mining dependent people raise an alarm all these years when our mineral resources were being plundered? It must be noted here that the mining closure came on account of the Supreme Court order that quashed all 88 mining leases renewed by the state government in 2015. If these agitators, their leaders and provocateurs have the guts then let them travel to the national capital and agitate there, as the order on cancelling mining leases came from there. If these protestors and their instigators have the courage then let them seek relief from the firms which benefited through mining loot. The mining dependent people can’t put innocent citizens and visitors to hardship, as the people themselves are at the receiving end of illegal iron ore mining.
ROSARIO MENEZES, VASCO
Shift Ribanbar Bus Stop
THE bus stop at Patto junction, Ribandar, inconveniences motorists and pedestrians. I request the concerned authorities to shift the bus stop a little farther, towards the mini market so that troubles are lessened.
MARIA J RODRIGUES, RIBANDAR