VASCO: The Chicalim villagers are up in arms against the casino vessel which currently stands anchored at Chicalim bay, the water body known for its marine biodiversity. According to the members of Chicalim Villagers Action Committee (CVAC), they were surprised to see a casino vessel anchored at Chicalim bay which is declared as biodiversity hotspot. They said in the past Chicalim as well as Sancoale villagers unanimously resolved to oppose any proposal by the state government over shifting casino vessel in river Zuari, however keeping all such opposition aside, a casino vessel recently found anchored at Chicalim bay in river Zuari.
“It was nothing less than a major shock for all of us to find a casino vessel anchored at Chicalim bay. This shows that the government or authorities concerned are least bothered about the opposition by village gram sabha over shifting casinos vessel in river zuari and have allowed casino operators to shift its vessel to river Zuari which is highly objectionable and we cannot allow such casino culture close to our village at any cost,” said CVAC secretary Rui Araujo.
He also informed that soon after they found casino vessel anchored at Chicalim bay, the committee wrote letters to MPT, captain of ports, deputy collector Mormugao and even to the Chief secretary Goa Government registering their strong objection to anchoring of casino vessel at Chicalim bay, and committee have been waiting for appropriate reply from concerns authorities so as to take further call on the issue.
Likewise CVAC, Vasco social activists Hasan Khan who also runs an NGO, claimed that “people of Mormugao Taluka had objected to any shifting of casino vessels in river zuari and if government fails to listen to the sentiments of people and does not remove this casino vessel in a week time, then we all would be forced to lead for mass protest against casino vessel and government’s inaction on removing casino vessel from river Zuari which is full of marine biodiversity” he said.
Even the Chicalim Sarpanch Neelima Naik claimed that the Panchayat has no information about shifting of casino vessels in river zuari and any move by authorities to allow casino operations in river Zuari will have to face strong objections and public protest. “As rightly said by the villagers, we have adopted unanimous resolution against shifting of casino and I am surprised as to how concern department allowed any casino operator to bring their vessel at Chicalim bay and that too against the wish of people.
