TEAM HERALD
CANACONA: The State’s southern-most village of Loliem-Polem is all set to renew the anti-Mopa tirade, with residents petitioning the village sarpanch for a special gram sabha on the issue.
Pending the outcome of their demand for a special gram sabha, the residents have convened a meeting on Thursday, which will be addressed by anti-Mopa crusader Fr Eremito Rebello and his team.
According to villagers, some had written to the sarpanch to include the ‘No-Mopa, Only Dabolim’ demand of the villagers for discussion at the gram sabha held last Sunday.
People who turned up at the gram sabha were disappointed, when Sarpanch Bushan Prabhudessai declared the end of the meet.
, without taking up the issue.
When the anti-Mopa group, led by village priest Fr Aloysius, approached the sarpanch, who was leaving the hall, the sarpanch is learnt to have explained to the group that their letter had been received only the previous day, and could not be itemized in the agenda which had already been finalized.
“However, the sarpanch informed us that a special gram-sabha could be convened and he asked us to submit a written request for the meeting and we did so on Friday,” informed Fr Aloysius.
Fr Aloysius was skeptical that sarpanch would accede to their demand to convene a special gram sabha soon.
“Villagers feel they have been cheated by the government, which is fast-tracking the procedures to force the Mopa Airport on the people. According to us, this will spell doom for locals and their survival in the tourism industry, especially in South Goa,” said Fr Aloysius.
“Accordingly, a meeting of villagers from Loliem, Poinguinim and other areas has been convened near the Loliem church on Thursday evening. Fr Rebello and his anti-Mopa team have accepted our invitation to attend and address the meeting,” Fr Aloysius added.
