PONDA: Around 200 Bhoma locals, including women and children, came together in a protest meeting against the proposed displacement of several houses for NH widening. Fearing for their temples, idols, and cultural heritage, they passionately expressed their concerns and demand for an alternative bypass road.
With a firm warning to take to the streets if the government remains unclear on the issue, the locals voiced their dissatisfaction with the current BJP rule, claiming that the previous Congress government was more responsive to public voices.
Protests escalated as Nagzar and Bhoma locals rallied against the land acquisition notice for the NH widening plan. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant was given a two-day deadline to clarify the situation, as the government’s sudden move left them in the dark.
The villagers are planning a protest at Azad Maidan, Panjim, to fight for their promised bypass road, which, according to locals, was scuttled to favour builder lobbies.
The locals accused the government of playing divide and rule, expressing frustration over the temple land acquisition notice, calling it a betrayal of their trust.
