Panaji, Nov 23 : Bollywood singer Hema Sardesai is the latest to join the bandwagon protesting against the government's land acquisition projects, as she sat on a day's hunger strike on Friday to oppose 18 Special Economic Zones (SEZ) to be created in Goa.

The Bollywood singer in her melodious voice sang songs, assailing the government's SEZ projects.

She enumerated the ills of SEZ and demanded that they should be immediately scrapped all over the state.

"I am with this movement of SEZ, to oppose SEZ in Goa. There is no barren land and no infrastructure in Goa. There is shortage of water and electricity supply in Goa. All the building and the development that is going to happen, will bring in more people, which SEZ will be requiring more employment of people from
outside. What about the Goan people then," said Hema.

The movement spearheaded under the banner 'Goa Movement Against SEZ's', saw members from political fraternity, NGO's and the church joining in to lend a common voice against SEZ projects.

The aim of the protest with hunger strike is to draw the attention of the media, government and common masses to the ill effects of SEZ and complete revocation of the all the proposed 18 SEZ projects in the state.

The Congress-led coalition had embarked on an ambitious plan to revitalize industry through setting up of SEZ projects in its quest for ten per cent annual economic growth.
 
The country’s SEZ policies have come under fire of late, with regular protests this year across the country over acquisition of farmland for industry.

The protesters insist that the policy would not create the number of jobs its supporters envisage. (ANI)