Mulgao Residents Take a Stand Against Mining Apathy
The residents of Mulgao in Bicholim have issued a stern warning to the government and mining companies. They have declared they will completely boycott the upcoming zilla panchayat elections unless their long-standing demands related to mining operations are addressed. This decisive stance was taken during a special meeting held on Saturday, where the community expressed its deep frustration with the government's alleged indifference.
Core Demands and the Regional Plan 2021
The discussion at the meeting centered on a critical set of demands. The locals are insisting that houses, temples, and natural water bodies must be excluded from the mining lease area. They emphasized that any new mining operations must strictly adhere to the guidelines laid out in the Regional Plan 2021. A key point of contention is the enforcement of buffer zones specified in this plan, which are designed to protect residential and ecologically sensitive areas from the direct impact of mining activities.
A United Front and an Election Ultimatum
The community's resolve was voiced by Sarpanch Manasi Kauthankar, who was supported by Mulgao comunidad president Maheshwar Parab and panch member Trupti Gad. They collectively stated that if the government and the mining company fail to find a solution, the people of Mulgao will not participate in the zilla panchayat election scheduled for December 13. Kauthankar revealed that despite submitting numerous petitions to the authorities, the people have seen no relief or positive action.
The meeting saw participation from a wide cross-section of the community, demonstrating unified local support. Attendees included deputy sarpanch Gajanan Mandrekar, biodiversity management member Swapnesh Sherlekar, and farmers association president Prakash Parab, among others. This collective action puts significant pressure on the authorities to act before the election date.
