PANJIM:  Condemning the shameful attitude of Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar, Goencho Avaaz (GA) has called for his immediate resignation, failing which; they will take the battle to people’s court. 

“It’s with utter  disgust and at the same time a sad moment for Goans to have woken up to the news of the third death. The whole country is looking at Goa as some sort of a drug haven, thanks to the irresponsible utterances of the Tourism Minister . Such official patronage, despite losing three lives, has affected the image of Goa as a tourist destination,” said Captain Viriato Fernandes, GA Co-convenor.

“Goans will never forgive nor forget such a lacklustre attitude of this government.  The brazen support has raised eyebrows about Ajgaonkar’s personal interest,” added Roshan Mathias, GA founding member.

GA has decided organize a massive awareness drive. GA also slammed the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for being silent.

“He has placed more importance to the revenue that may have got generated through this festival rather than maintaining the law and order. Instead of taking the issues plaguing the state head on, the CM has portrayed himself as a rather very weak leader in controlling his ministers, even putting the Mhadei river issue on the back burner. Has the CM condoled the deaths of the three men? Has he made arrangements for the families of the deceased men to take their bodies for the last rites? Why is the CM allowing his officials to make irresponsible statements attributing the cause of death to natural circumstances and insisting that the same are not related to drugs?” GA members added.