Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao on Monday strongly criticised the BJP-led government, accusing it of using the Scheduled Tribe (ST) community merely for electoral gains while failing to protect their land, rights and environment.
Alemao was speaking after meeting members of the ST community who are protesting against the proposed Unity Mall and Prashasan Stambh projects at Chimbel, which locals have opposed, citing environmental concerns and alleged construction on wetlands.
Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa and Congress leader Samil Volvoikar were also present during the interaction with the protesters.
Terming the projects unacceptable, Alemao said the government was continuing construction work despite a stay order from the court. “The government is not even respecting the court. Both these projects are coming up on wetlands and must be scrapped,” he said.
Accusing the government of imposing projects without the consent of local communities, Alemao said such actions were leading to large-scale environmental destruction. “The government must stop this dadagiri and stop forcing projects on people,” he said.
Calling the BJP regime a “lootmar sarkar,” Alemao alleged that the government was committing contempt of court by disobeying the stay order. “If this does not stop, the people of Goa will gather here in large numbers on January 4 and intensify the agitation,” he warned.
Alemao also appealed to citizens to participate in the public meeting scheduled on January 4 to oppose the projects.
Referring to recent Zilla Panchayat election results, Alemao said the BJP should have understood public sentiment. “Despite this, they continue to show arrogance of power. I am confident the people will show them the door in 2027 for environmental destruction, land conversions, illegal land sales, deaths in nightclubs and for dividing society,” he asserted.
The protesting ST community reiterated their demand for scrapping the projects, stating that they threaten wetlands and the traditional livelihood of local residents.
