Mapusa: Hundreds of villagers of Pomburpa-Ecoxim on Thursday held a peaceful march in the village protesting against the mega housing project which is allegedly coming up in the No Development Zone (NDZ). Women, youth and children also participated in the peaceful march while the local MLA Carlos Alvares Ferreira, social activists and likeminded people from different parts of state were also part of this march.
Chanting slogans such as ‘amka jai amka jai, amche raan amka jai, the protestors had initially decided to march towards the construction site on the hill however the rain played spoilt sport.
Addressing the people, Aldona MLA Carlos Alvares Ferreira said, “This peaceful candle march is to save Pomburpa and Ecoxim. Our heritage, ecology and environment are at stake due to people who don’t have any affection for the village. These are sacred forests where there are worship sites. I appeal to the people to join hands to fight this unitedly because this issue is not only of Ecoxim and Pomburpa but the whole Goa.”
“This construction is not in accordance with the approved plan. First of all, permission should not have been issued to this project because it’s an orchard land, no development zone and forest. The panchayat has scheduled a site inspection on Saturday and we demand that the panchayat issue a stop work order notice and we will see that the land is restored back to its original form and we will continue to fight till we succeed. I will do what is best in the interest of the people, Ferreira said.