Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: St Andre RGP MLA Viresh Borkar called off his six-day hunger strike at Azad Maidan after receiving an official communication suspending all provisional and final land conversion proposals under Section 39A in his constituency with immediate effect.
The letter, issued on the official letterhead of the Chief Town Planner (CTP), was handed over by North Goa Collector Ankit Yadav. The revised communication addressed the clarifications Borkar had sought earlier, particularly regarding the precise meaning of the term “suspension.”
Earlier in the evening, the Collector had visited the protest site with a letter, but Borkar insisted on clearer details before accepting it. A fresh communication incorporating the required clarifications was subsequently provided.
Before formally ending the agitation, Borkar sought the approval of villagers from Siridao-Palem, who had spearheaded and consistently backed the protest. After receiving their consent, he announced the withdrawal of the fast. Co-protester Tushar Gawas also ended his hunger strike.
Describing the movement as a “second fight for freedom,” Borkar broke his fast with prasad from Sateri temple, offered by Norma Alvares. Environmentalists Claude Alvares and Norma Alvares were present at the site, providing legal guidance during the course of the agitation.
Borkar expressed gratitude to supporters across Goa and abroad, acknowledging in particular the strong participation of women from the constituency, many of whom are small vendors. He noted that even a 90-year-old woman had joined the protest. He also thanked leaders of the RGP and members of the Opposition for their solidarity.
The MLA further stated that the Chief Minister had spoken to him over the phone and assured that cases filed against villagers would not be pursued. Borkar voiced hope that Section 39A would be debated in the Assembly and scrapped statewide. He said the Chief Minister had assured discussion on the matter and appealed to MLAs across party lines to support its repeal.
Warning of intensified protests if the provision is not withdrawn, Borkar said the agitation would resume in a stronger form should the Assembly fail to scrap Section 39A.
