Police were in full force at the helipad to avoid any untoward incident after the villagers of Sinquerim and Candolim had planned to oppose the heli-joy rides at the historic and protected site. The forcible decision of the Goa tourism to go ahead with the heli-joy rides did not down go well with the people of Sinquerim and surrounding areas but it can be seen as one-upmanship by Minister for Tourism Dilip Parulekar, who was hell bent to go ahead with the project against the wishes of the people.
Agnelo Fernandes, former MLA of Calangute, has criticised the decision of the Goa government while Calangute MLA Michael Lobo said the people would decide what tourism they want in Goa.
Earlier in the morning, the Goa Tourism officials along with other government officials visited the helipad site and barricaded the area with ropes and painted the landing points, etc. A large police force gave full protection to the labourers and other workers hired by the Goa Tourism. The locals, led by Candolim Sarpanch Sandra Filaho, who had decided to oppose the activities at the protected site by the Goa Tourism, were seen around the plateau before the helicopter could land but there were no protests thereafter.
Anil Dalal, Assistant Manager of Goa Tourism and Himansu Srivastava of Pawan Hans were present at the site while Police Inspectors Tushar Vernekar and Brendon D’Souza led the Goa Police force.
When contacted the MLA of Calangute Mr Michael Lobo said: “The people of Goa will decide what tourism they want in Goa.”
Former Calangute MLA Fernandes said: “I know the heli-joy rides have started but let them take pleasure for a few moments. The Goa Tourism seems to be playing childish games with the people of Sinquerim and Goa. We will definitely stop the helicopter joy rides at the Sinquerim helipad to protect the historic and protected site.”
Laxman Porob, ex-sarpanch of Calangute, said: “It is high time for the BJP MLA of Calangute Michael Lobo to resign and show that he is with the people of Calangute. It is his own BJP Government which has started the heli-joy rides at the protected site in Calangute constituency against people’s wishes. The MLA of Calangute should resign and then take the people of Sinquerim and Calangute constituency on to the streets.”
It may be recalled that both Fernandes and Lobo had supported the people of Sinquerim in opposing the heli-joy rides at an open protest meet at Sinquerim plateau.
