CCP Mayor says agitations to be banned at Azad Maidan

Team Herald

panjim: Corporation of City of Panaji (CCP) Mayor Uday Madkaikar on Thursday kicked up a controversy as he said that the historic Azad Maidan will not be allowed to be used for the protests and agitations.

The Mayor said that protestors and agitators litter the place when they agitate.

“Henceforth, we will not allow the Azad Maidan for agitations. The Chief Minister also said that agitators will be moved to parade ground. We will write to the Collector to de-notify Azad Maidan as place of agitation,” he said.

He said that there is huge traffic jams during agitations and the place is being littered.

 The Chief Minister however said that the decision has been taken by the CCP and not government.

“The CCP has already taken a decision to stop agitations there as it becomes difficult for them to maintain the place,” Sawant said. 

Panjim MLA Atanasio Babush Monserrate, meanwhile, said that he is of the opinion that the agitations must continue at the Azad Maidan.

“The name is Azad Maidan, which means that the people are free to express themselves there and if you do not allow agitations you are taking away the people’s freedom,” he said.

He said that he will present his views to the chief minister and the CCP.