Team Goemkarponn
Chimbel: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Goa, has extended its support to the ongoing protest by residents of Chimbel, particularly the ST community, against the proposed Unity Mall project. The agitation is gaining momentum, with a large-scale protest scheduled to be held on 4 January in Chimbel.
AAP MLA Cruz Silva and senior party leader Amit Palekar visited the protest site ahead of the year-end and expressed solidarity with the agitators. They were accompanied by AAP Youth Wing leader Rohan Naik, Minority Wing Vice President Sarfaraz Sheikh, and party workers. The party also announced its active participation in the protest planned for January 4.
Addressing the gathering, MLA Cruz Silva alleged that the state government was prioritising the interests of influential groups over those of local residents. He stated that the proposed Unity Mall poses a threat to the environment of Chimbel and represents a breach of public trust. Despite opposition from various sections of society, he said the government’s persistence in pushing the project forward was a matter of concern. Silva appealed to citizens to unite against what he described as increasing unilateralism, coercion and pressure tactics by the government, and reiterated that AAP stands firmly with the people of Chimbel.
Senior AAP leader Amit Palekar also criticised the project, stating that the party stands shoulder to shoulder with the residents in their movement. He alleged that attempts were being made to suppress public opposition near the Chimbel lake area through pressure tactics, even without the necessary permissions and court clearances. Palekar further claimed that efforts were underway to prepare favourable documentation through the local panchayat to weaken the agitation.
Palekar announced that a large public meeting will be held in Chimbel on 4 January and appealed to people across Goa to participate, stating that the issue concerns the protection of the state’s environment and natural heritage. He said that constructing malls is not the role of the government and asserted that AAP would continue to oppose what it termed as the misuse of power by the BJP-led government.
Political observers note that the growing resistance to the Unity Mall project, especially among the ST community, could put pressure on the government to reconsider the proposal, as continued opposition may have wider political implications in the state.
