Shiroda locals up in arms over COVID care centre

Ponda: Tension was witnessed in Shiroda on Sunday after hundreds of locals gathered at the primary health centre (PHC) to oppose the state government’s decision to convert the Shiroda PHC into COVID care centre.
As the situation turned violent, police had to resort to a light lathi charge. Ten locals including a woman were arrested by the police.
As per information available, soon after an announcement was made by the government that the Shiroda PHC will be converted into a COVID care centre to treat asymptomatic patients, locals started gathering at the PHC to oppose the government’s decision.
They demanded that the PHC should not be converted into COVID care centre, as they did not want the COVID patients to be handled in close proximity to their village. They also feared the spread of the virus in Shiroda.
The number of locals opposing the government decision kept on increasing following which local MLA Subhash Shirodkar, sarpanch Amit Shirodkar and Deputy Collector Kedar Naik rushed to the spot to pacify the villagers.
Ponda police inspector Mohan Gaude also rushed to the spot with police force to control the situation. However, as the locals’ protest became violent, police were forced to resort to a lathi charge. Around ten locals including a woman were arrested for protesting and creating ruckus. Further investigation is under process.