Environmentalists apprise Goa Governor of threat to lives
Panaji. Mar 12 : Environmentalists Prof Ramesh Gawas and Dr Claude Alvares have urged Governor Bharat Vir Wanchoo to order an appropriate enqury into the threats to their lives.
The duo was speaking to reporters yesterday after submitting a memorandum to the Governor to this effect.
They said, in a recent statement, chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had reportedly expressed his helplessness at a possible deterioration in the law and order situation and publicly stated that he may be unable to guarantee the personal safety of some of the activists working in Goa.
Mr Gawas alleged that the Chief Minister had became a toy in the hands of the mining lobby and showing his helpleness to protect the environmentalists who are fihgting against the illegal mining industry. Mr Parrikar had got some hidden agenda against the environmentalists, he added.
The duo also pointed out that on March 2, a well planned and organised efforts were made by mining industry supporters to disrupt a private workshop being held to discuss the finding and recommendations of the Justice Shah Commission in Margoa.
The Environmentalists said since objectionable statements were made by the chief Minister himself. it is futile to lodge the complaint with the home secretary, hence they had sought intervention of the governor, as the constitutional head of the state.
Mr Gawas also alleged that mining package announced by the chief minister was nothing but loot of public funds.