NT Reporter
Panaji
The ‘Enough is Enough’ movement on Tuesday signalled an intensified phase of agitation, with its leader retired Allahabad High Court Chief Justice, Ferdino Rebello warning of statewide mobilisation in May if the government fails to convene an Assembly session to table and discuss the proposed tenancy protection bill.
Addressing a press conference after inaugurating the movement’s office at Velho & Filho building in Panaji, Rebello said people cannot be made to wait indefinitely, noting that the next Assembly session is months away. He said the movement would step up protests if the bill is sidelined again.
Describing the office as a “watchdog to protect land and heritage”, Rebello said the movement emerged from concerns over indiscriminate land-use changes and erosion of local rights. He stressed that development must adhere to the Regional Plan and existing legal safeguards.
Rebello raised objections to Section 39A of the TCP Act, questioning “selective” action against hill-cutting and land conversion in areas such as Arambol, Siridao and Sankhali. He said provisions prohibit zoning changes without government approval and warned that recent amendments allowing rezoning of agricultural land set a dangerous precedent.
He said the movement, which has so far focused on awareness and legal measures, would escalate protests if the government fails to act. The key demands include scrapping Section 39A and tabling the Goa Protection of Tenancy Bill, which he said was not discussed ahead of the Ponda by-election.
Rebello said the demands are based on enforcing existing laws rather than introducing new ones, questioning why people should be forced to protest when legal safeguards already exist.
He also criticised cases filed against villagers protesting in Siridao and flagged inaction by local representatives over land-use changes in Pernem.
Rebello said there has been no response from the Chief Minister on the movement’s demands.
