Goemkarponn Desk
CANACONA: Palolem residents have complained to the authorities to stop attempt to block access/way to the Holy Cross Chapel and to the Beach at Ourem-Palolem.
According to Palolem residents, a landlord through proxy is trying to block access to the Holy Cross Chapel at Ourem-Palolem and also to the beach at Ourem coast. Large number of people gathered at the site to protest against the attempts. Residents informed it started with a person (in the property/land belong to landlord) running beach huts and a Shack attempted to erect a Gate infron of the Chapel. The residents alarmed at the development came to stop the works, and than saw , the same operator is also blocking the existing beach access through the area to the Ourem beach coast.
‘It is not correct to block access to the place of worship. Our community will not allow the same’, people discussing over the developments at the site said.
Ourem-Palolem Councillor and CMC Ex-Chairperson Simon Rebello, NGO Goenkar Jack Fernandes, Gaspar Coutinho, Wilson Fernandes were amongst the several residents consisting of men and women) assembled to protest against the activities they alleged as illegal and against the normal norms of natural justice.
The villagers of Palolem than submitted a representative to the Dy. Collector , Canacona on the unauthorized blocking of Beach Access and requesting attention of the authorities of a pressing issue than can have significantly impact the community and the Visitors (Tourists).
‘It has come to our notice that the access route to the beach has been obstructed by beachfront properties, resulting in the prevention of local villagers and tourists from reaching the beach coast.’, states the representation.
Stating further that such actions are in total contravention of the Coastal Regulation Zone norms and its related notifications and has explicitly blocks prohibits the beach access. And infringes upon the rights of the local community and visitors to enjoy public beach access.
The residents have appealed to the concerned authorities to take immediate and stringent action against these activities and safeguard and uphold proper access rights of the community.
