Chimbel villagers plan Republic Day protest

NT Reporter

Panaji

Chimbel villagers opposing the proposed Unity Mall and Prashasan Stambh project have announced a symbolic protest during the state-level Republic Day celebrations at the Goa University ground on Monday, as they intensify their agitation against the project.

The villagers held a meeting near Bhagavati Chimbalkarin Talli on Saturday to discuss plans to escalate their protest, which has now continued for 28 days.

“This protest will be about ‘karoyamaro’. We will not listen to anything and anyone. This protest is no longer about Chimbel villagers, it is about entire Goa,” activist Ajay Kholkar said, adding that villagers would form groups and visit neighbouring villages to seek support.

Kholkar said that on Sunday, villagers would visit the office of North Goa MP Shripad Naik to seek answers regarding the project. “When a sanction of Rs 100 crore came from the Centre, he was the first person to know about it. He kept us in the dark,” Kholkar said.

He also alleged that the ongoing survey related to the project is limited only to land measurement and examination of aspects such as the lake and catchment area. “Even if the survey report says the Unity Mall does not fall in the influence zone, we do not want it,” he said, adding that villagers fear the government may manipulate the report.