Daijiworld Media Network -Panaji

Panaji, Jan 25: Abhijit Prabhudesai, an environmental activist who has been leading the anti-coal agitation in Goa since 2016 has called the Supreme Court-appointed Central empowerment committee's (CEC) visit as an eyewash.

Prabhudesai expressed disappointment for not being able to present his views when the CEC held a five-member delegation of activists inside a starred hotel on Saturday January 23. Prabhudesai alleged an intentional move to exclude his participation from the deliberations.

He further alleged that the government is intending to push the project through by incorporating mitigation measures. "Despite the overwhelming evidence placed before the CEC regarding the complete absence of public interest and the massive destruction of environment, economies and society due to the three infrastructure projects, the CEC seems to be only considering saving a few old trees and other mitigation measures," Prabhudesai said.

"All the three projects are against the interest of the Goans, and against environmental laws. We will do whatever it takes to see that the projects are scrapped, including launching a civil disobedience movement," he added warning that the protesters would intensify the agitation if the projects aren't scrapped.