'Save Mhadei' activists gherao water resources department chief engineer in Goa

PANAJI: 'Save Mhadei' activists on Tuesday morning gheraoed chief engineer of water resources department Pramod Badami, raising slogans of 'Badami hatao, Mhadei bachao'. Those protesting included some Congressmen as also Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Velim MLA Cruz Silva.The protest lasted for over an hour and the police had to step in to bring the situation under control.Badami told the protesters that Goa has already made the necessary submissions before the Supreme Court, but the activists refused to budge. The police shielded Badami to ensure his safety as the protesters got aggressive. Police officials finally asked the protesters to disperse as Badami had already accepted their memorandum.The activists were eventually escorted out by the police to ensure that the situation did not escalate.Goa is opposing the diversion of River Mhadei's tributaries by Karanataka. Goa has already objected to Karnataka carrying out construction of water diversion canals on the Mhadei's tributaries without the necessary environment clearances.Recently, Karnataka's detailed project report for the Kalasa and Bhandura water diversion projects received sanction from the Central Water Commission.In the past activists have raised objections to Badami heading the state water resources department, stating that he is a native of North Karnataka and alleging that he could be compromised in Karnataka's favour.Badami is serving an extension in service at present after his retirement.During Tuesday's protests too, the activists were seen taunting Badami by raising slogans of 'Namaga Mhadei Beka' or 'we want Mhadei' in Kannada.