Panaji, March 6: Proceedings in the Goa Legislative Assembly were briefly interrupted on Friday after four protesters raised slogans against a proposed dam on the Zuari River from the visitors’ gallery, forcing security personnel to remove and detain them on the opening day of the state’s budget session.
The disruption occurred soon after the Assembly commenced its 17-day session when the demonstrators displayed placards and shouted slogans opposing the planned dam project at Mirabag village in Kushawati district. Assembly marshals quickly intervened and escorted the protesters out, allowing legislative proceedings to resume shortly afterward.
The protest is linked to a continuing agitation in Mirabag village, where residents have been staging a sit-in demonstration for nearly 25 days. Villagers claim that the proposed reservoir could inundate around 500 homes, raising fears of large-scale displacement and loss of livelihoods.
Reacting strongly inside the House, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant condemned the disruption and called the protest unacceptable within the Assembly premises. “We cannot tolerate such behaviour in the House. This kind of conduct is like a terrorist attitude. Today it is this, tomorrow it could escalate further,” he said, triggering brief exchanges among members.
However, Vijai Sardesai, MLA of the Goa Forward Party, defended the protesters, saying the agitation reflected growing frustration among villagers who felt their concerns had not been adequately addressed despite weeks of demonstrations.
Senior leader Sudin Dhavalikar of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party urged the Assembly to take strict action against those responsible, remarking that he had not witnessed such an incident in his 27 years of political life.
Responding to criticism from the opposition benches, Water Resources Minister Subhash Shirodkar defended the dam proposal, saying it aims to ensure long-term drinking water security for the state by storing water from the Zuari River that currently flows into the sea. “This is not the way to win an election,” he said during the debate.
Mirabag village falls under the Sanvordem Assembly constituency represented by Speaker Ganesh Gaonkar.
Despite the brief disturbance, the Assembly later returned to normal business, with the state government preparing to present its budget later in the day.
