Team Goemkarponn
OLD GOA: A large number of villagers from Chimbel, along with representatives of several NGOs, social activists spearheading various movements in Goa, and political leaders, participated in a Maha Andolan public meeting organised by Chimbel villagers at Old Goa on Friday.
The protesters reiterated that their agitation would continue until they receive official, legal and administrative communication from the competent authorities of all concerned departments clearly stating that both the proposed projects — the Unity Mall and the Prashasan Stambh — have been shifted from their earlier proposed locations at Kadamba Plateau, Chimbel.
The villagers also demanded the re-notification of the Toyyar lake wetland, taking into consideration the objections and suggestions submitted by locals, and the restoration of the Unity Mall construction site to its original condition prior to excavation. They further insisted that the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department should not permit any construction on the land.
The protest was originally scheduled to be held at Azad Maidan in Panaji but was shifted to Old Goa following the imposition of Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) across Panaji, prohibiting public gatherings.
Addressing the gathering, AAP leader Amit Palekar claimed that advocating an alliance to defeat the BJP had made him a “political scapegoat.” He said the BJP continues to remain in power in Goa due to vote splitting and urged all opposition parties to come together in a common alliance against the BJP government.
Meanwhile, Tourism Director Kedar Naik has written to the chairman of Chimbel’s Biodiversity Management Committee, officially informing him of the government’s decision to shift both the Unity Mall and the Prashasan Stambh to an alternative site away from Chimbel. He stated that a formal notification in this regard would be issued by the wetland authority.
However, villagers maintained that verbal assurances or press notes were not sufficient. “We want legitimate communication, not just a press note,” tribal villagers asserted, adding that the protest would continue until official notifications are issued.
Activist Ajay Kholkar said that while a letter had been received from the Tourism Director regarding the relocation, questions remained over the authority to decide on the Prashasan Stambh, which falls under the General Administration Department (GAD). “Only the Chief Minister has the authority to take this decision,” he said.
Chimbelkars further demanded that two separate letters be issued immediately, clearly confirming the shifting of both projects. Warning that the hunger strike would continue until such communication is received, they also demanded complete restoration of the land to its original state before excavation.
