MARGAO: Nearly three-and-a-half years ago, over 5,000 citizens gathered near the railway tracks at Chandor, armed only with unwavering resolve to protect their land and Goa’s future in their bid to oppose the expansion of the railway tracks.
However, since then, the human cost of this ongoing fight has become increasingly evident. A selective group of activists who have been at the forefront of this campaign against the double tracking of rails and the transportation of coal have found themselves embroiled in legal battles, facing criminal cases for their peaceful dissent. Incidentally, the present South Goa Congress Lok Sabha candidate, Capt Viriato Fernandes, is one of the ten accused.
The irony is palpable as certain politicians who participated in the historic November 1-2, 2020, vigil remain unscathed, their allegiances shifting with the winds of political expedience. The activists, along with thousands who protested at Chandor, question why only a handful are targeted and not others, including politicians who were in the opposition then and are now MLAs of the ruling party or supporting the government.
They point to turncoat politicians like BJP MLA Digambar Kamat, who once stood alongside the people of Chandor as a Congress MLA, have now done a complete U-turn by asserting that double tracking is ‘essential’ – a stark contrast to their previous stance.
The others who opposed it earlier and are now supporting the project include each of the defector MLAs and those who are supporting the BJP.
Elsewhere, Railways have also charged activists for a smaller protest held in Arrosim, where the present Benaulim Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Venzy Viegas is one of the accused.
Moreover, near the railway tracks where protests occur monthly, the senior citizens of Velsao have been forced to abandon the comforts of their homes and families. In their twilight years, they find themselves on the frontlines, agitating on the very tracks that threaten their health, properties, and children’s future.
The human cost extends beyond the physical realm, as four activists opposing such encroachment of JCBs and bulldozers onto their land faced the daunting prospect of seeking anticipatory bail – a legal shield against potential arrests for their peaceful resistance. This case is also ongoing, like the remaining three cases.
At the heart lies a reminder: those the government claims to serve through ‘promised progress’, bear the human cost. It’s a fight for a future untainted by environmental degradation, beyond preserving homes and communities.
To sum up these issues, a villager from Velsao, Minguelino Mascarenhas, who is in his late 90s, along with his wife, lamented the deteriorating quality of life for those residing near the railway tracks.
“The senior citizens bear the brunt of the incessant noise pollution caused by the numerous trains that rumble past daily. Many neighbours, including the younger generation, have fled the area, unable to endure the cacophony,” they added.
Mascarenhas further vented his long-suppressed frustration with the government authorities’ authoritarian approach towards the double-tracking project despite their numerous agitations and hoped the more able people of Velsao and the rest of Goa would join them in their struggle to breathe free and clear air.
Against this backdrop, the prosecuted activists assert that the truth will prevail despite government attempts to harass those fighting to save Goa.
“If defenders of the environment are to be harassed by the BJP government, isn’t it safe to conclude that the BJP government is anti-environment and against nature. Regarding these cases, we are certain that there will be an acquittal in this case; therefore, we are prepared for all the harassment,” said Abhijit Prabhudesai, who is an accused person in the two Chandor cases and the Arossim case.
“What is the government trying to do? Do they think that by filing cases against us and intimidating us, we will back down? We will not get scared and will continue to fight. Even if they try to block us, hundreds will take our place immediately, as we are fighting not for ourselves but for the future of Goa and to protect its environment,” said Vikas Bhagat, who is one of the accused in the two Chandor cases.
“What is a matter of shame is how these turncoat BJP MLAs had all vehemently opposed the three linear projects when they were in Congress, promising that these projects would be scrapped if their government came to power. Former Congress MLAs, who had spoken against the coal issue in the House, are now all in favour of these very projects. Are the people expected to simply forget all this duplicity?" said Olencio Simoes, who is one of the accused persons in the Velsao case.