Mapusa: The lifeguards, who were on fast-unto- death for the last 11 days called off their agitation on Friday following ‘assurance’ from Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
The lifeguards ended their fast-unto- death agitation by taking juice at the hands of representatives of NGOs and political parties, who had extended them their support.
Addressing the media, Ajitsingh Rane, in the presence of Swati Kerkar, said that lifeguards were on a hunger strike for the last 29 days, which included 18 days of chain hunger strike and 11 days of fast-unto-death in Mapusa.
Rane and Kerkar have been fighting to get justice to the striking lifeguards under the banner of All Goa Marine Lifesaving Security Association
“Taking cognizance of the hunger strike by the lifeguards, the Chief Minister last night assured us that 230 lifeguards, whose names were in the list, which was handed over to government will be absorbed through Goa Human Development Corporation, and in January, posts of lifeguards will be advertised to accommodate them,“ said Rane.
He further added that “even last year in February, when we had protested, the Chief Minister had assured to accommodate these lifeguards, however, due to the pandemic it was delayed, and now, again we have got the assurance and we have faith in him.”
Replying to a question about a written assurance, Rane said that “we have not got a written assurance.”
He further thanked all political parties, non-governmental organisations and social activists who supported the agitation.
“It is unfortunate that these questions were delayed but one has to put in efforts and struggle to get something,“ he said.
“As long as every lifeguard is absorbed in the government service we will continue to support lifeguards and if the government fails to keep the assurance then we will hold a bigger agitation. We have faith in the government and we are withdrawing this fast-unto-death believing in the government’s verbal assurance,” said Swati Kerkar, vice president of All Goa Marine Lifesaving Security Association.
