Panaji: Chimbel villagers on Friday rejected a letter issued by Tourism Director Kedar Naik stating that the Unity Mall and Prashasan Stambh projects would be shifted from Chimbel, saying the letter has no legal authority and does not meet their demands.
Villagers said they will continue their chain hunger strike and agitation until they receive proper written orders from the competent authorities.
Activist Ajay Kholkar questioned the authority of the Tourism Director to take decisions on the Prashasan Stambh project.
“Only the Chief Minister has the authority to take this decision,” Kholkar said, adding that the Prashasan Stambh comes under the General Administration Department (GAD).
He said villagers have demanded two separate official letters confirming the shifting of the two projects.
“We want one letter from the Tourism Minister and the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) regarding the Unity Mall, and another letter from the Chief Minister regarding the Prashasan Stambh,” he said.
He added that the Unity Mall falls under GTDC, while the Prashasan Stambh comes under GAD, Finance Department and the Chief Minister.
Villagers held a protest on Friday at Gandhi Circle in Old Goa. It was originally planned at Azad Maidan
in Panaji. However, the North Goa district administration imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in and around the Panaji police station area, citing apprehension of a law and order situation.
Kholkar also demanded that the land where excavation has already taken place be restored to its original condition. He said wetlands must be re-notified after considering villagers’ suggestions on the zone of influence.
Along with other groups across the state, the International Human Rights Defenders’ Forum also extended support to the Chimbel protest.
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao criticised the government over the issue. He questioned whether Goa is being run like a dictatorship and said it is shameful that villagers have been forced to protest on the streets for over a month.
He termed the Unity Mall project at Chimbel as “Rs 25 crore destruction”, calling it a waste of public money. Alemao said the agitation is a victory of the people and not a political movement, and added that the Congress supports villagers in protecting wetlands, heritage and land.
After the protest, the villagers left to continue their hunger strike at the Kadamba plateau, stating that they will not stop until all their demands are met.
