Vasco: Protests in Velsao against the rail double-tracking project witnessed high drama as Goa Forward Party (GFP) chief Vijai Sardesai and former Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president Amit Patkar joined villagers and climbed onto an earthmover to shift railway construction material.Protesters demanded the resignation of Cortalim MLA Anton Vas, alleging he has remained silent on the issue and failed to support residents. Villagers called for protection of access to their homes and immediate resolution of long-pending concerns linked to the project.Sardesai said the GFP stood firmly with the villagers and questioned Vas’s absence. “Why isn’t he supporting his constituents? He is not bothered about the people,” Sardesai said. He accused the Centre of carrying out land acquisition without due legal process, calling the development “illegal.” “The illegality is institutionalised, and it is an attitude of the government,” he said, also questioning the project’s stated national interest. “What was national interest in coal? Why do we need coal?” he asked.Patkar termed the railways’ actions “trespassing” and said the govt was pushing people towards taking matters into their own hands. “Today’s protest is a trailer, and it will continue across the state. The government should not play with people’s power which is supreme,” he said.Social activist Olencio Simoes alleged the land acquisition was carried out forcibly and has blocked the villagers’ right of way (RoW). Residents also flagged difficulties faced during funeral processions due to the obstruction of the RoW.Former environment minister Alina Saldanha, Goencho Ekvott founder member Orville Dourado Rodrigues, Peter D’Souza, and Jayesh Shetgaonkar were among those present.Deputy collector and sub-divisional magistrate (Mormugao) Pratap Gaonkar and other officials heard the villagers’ grievances.
