Team Goemkarponn
CANACONA: Tempers flared on Tuesday evening as agitated residents, upset over the alleged delay in tracing a missing fishing boat with four fishermen on board, resorted to a Rasta Roko agitation by blocking the Manohar Parrikar Canacona Bypass Road (MPCBR) on NH-66 at Talpona, bringing highway traffic to a complete standstill for nearly an hour.
Angry protesters, claiming authorities failed to adequately respond to their concerns and cries for help, suddenly blocked the four-lane highway, causing hundreds of vehicles heading in both directions to come to a halt. Men, women, youngsters and elderly persons participated in the agitation, with several sitting on the road on both sides to block traffic.
The highway was reopened only after confirmed information was received around 4 pm that all four missing fishermen had been traced, were safe and in good health.
Several politicians and Zilla Parishad candidates joined the protest in support of the agitators’ demands, including Janardhan Bhandari, Gaspar Coutinho, Shubham Komarpant and Daya Gaonkar. Fishing community leaders such as Rudresh Talponkar, Anil Keluskar and Pankaj Namshikar were also present among the protesters. Meanwhile, some political leaders, including Chaudi councillor Ramakant Naikgaunkar, attempted to defuse the situation and persuade the crowd to clear the highway.
Canacona Dy. SP Nilesh Rane and PI Harish Raut Desai rushed to the spot along with police personnel, but were initially unable to convince the agitating crowd, who demanded result-oriented action from the government instead of what they termed “lip service.”
Traffic was finally restored after authorities informed the protesters that the fishing boat had been traced in Ankola waters and that all four fishermen were safely sailing back towards Goan waters.
Speaking to the media later, Canacona SDM and Dy. Collector Prataprao Gaonkar said, “Thank God the missing fishermen have been found and are returning safely. All’s well that ends well.”
Refuting claims that authorities had failed to act, Gaonkar stated that the Coast Guard and Coastal Police were actively involved in the search and rescue operation. “In fact, Talpona Coastal PI Theron D’Costa, along with two PSIs and a constable, have been camping at sea since 1 pm. All concerned authorities responded in time and remained actively involved till the operation reached its logical conclusion,” he said.
Gaonkar added that officials were present at Talpona Jetty, and his Joint Mamlatdar had tried to explain to locals that rescue agencies were fully engaged. “Without proper information or understanding, some people blocked the National Highway for nearly 45 minutes to an hour. I have already directed the Joint Mamlatdar to inform the Canacona PI to identify those involved and initiate action, including registration of an offence if required. Blocking a National Highway that connects other States without verifying facts is unacceptable. They could have approached the authorities or even me to understand what action was being taken,” he said.
