Protest against Bhutani Infra at Sancoale continues to gather steam

Community members, activists join chain hunger strike against the mega project at Savorfond
Protest against Bhutani Infra at Sancoale continues to gather steam
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Team Herald

VASCO: Even though former Sarpanch of Sancoale village, Premanand Naik had to end his hunger strike against Bhutani Infra due to health issues, his campaign continues unhindered as community members, activists and social workers continued their chain hunger strike against the mega project at Savorfond, Sancoale.

On Thursday, A group of youth activists Harsha Wadkar, Frank, Keith, Shawn Furtado and others along with Chicalim parish priest Fr Bolmax Pereira joined chain hunger strike and questioned the State government's inaction in Bhutani Infra matter.

Fr Bolmax held the government irresponsible for the ongoing happenings. “When will the youth study and make their career if they continue participating in protests and agitating on street to save Goa?” he asked.

Furtado said, “Youth are ready to take their responsibility for Goa. There is systematic destruction of Goa, be it at Old Goa, Reis Magos and Sancoale. Mega projects are approved without checking the carrying capacity of the State. Can Goa really sustain these mega projects?” he questioned.

Furtado alleged that the current crop of leaders were not bothered of future of the youth and they all are trying to see to make fast buck and escape. He appealed to youth to stand up now or else in the next 10 years they will have to clean up this mess. “What will these politicians tell our future generation who are going to inherit this State, knowing that you have destroyed Goa?” he said.

On Wednesday soon after Naik withdraw his hunger strike, activists Xencor Polgi, Fidol Pereira, Nora, Gilroy, Seby Menezes and others observed their hunger strike in front of the Sancoale village panchayat demanding that the panchayat should immediately withdraw the construction licence issued to M/s Parmesh Construction Company Limited on Bhutani Infra project.

They stated that their day-long fast was in support of former Sancoale sarpanch Premanand Naik, who withdrew his 10-day indefinite hunger strike on the eve of Diwali, on Wednesday.

But the community members and activists have resolved to continue with the chain higher strike from 9 am to 6 pm everyday till all the permission granted to the Bhutani Infra are withdrawn. Premanand Naik had also warned that he will restart his hunger strike if the panchayats fails to withdraw the construction licence issued on March 11, 2014.

The villagers of Sancoale and the activists are strongly opposed to the proposed construction of multifamily dwellings and villas at Savorfond, Sancoale as it out additional pressure on the existing infrastructure. M/s Parmesh Construction Company Limited or Bhutani Infra had purchase 35,050 sq mts of land at Savorfond, Sancoale from ANS Construction Pvt Ltd on July 14, 2023.

Meanwhile, Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho stated that the government including the Sancoale village panchayat will make the right decision on Bhutani Infra project.

“We have sought legal opinion from lawyers and also from the Advocate General encompassing all the facts, documents, and past and current permissions. Over and above the Bhutani matter is pending in the High Court. Law has to take its own course,” he said on the sidelines of an event at Bogmalo on Wednesday.

Herald Goa
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