Team Herald
PANJIM: A shroud of mystery hangs over the artefacts that were allegedly carted off from the controversial excavation site in Old Goa, but instead of tracking them, police have now started investigating a complaint against the activists who have been relentlessly protesting against the ‘unauthorised activity’ at the site.
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The police action came after the Department of Tourism filed a complaint against the activists for spreading, what they claimed, were ‘rumours and misinformation’ about the project under the central Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) Scheme.
In his complaint, Deputy Director of Tourism Dhiraj Wagle has asked the Old Goa police to investigate and take action against those spreading these ‘rumours’.
Ironically, it is only after the activists highlighted that the excavation had thrown up old cannon balls at the site that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) stepped in and work was stopped. Over the past week, two stakeholders in the area – the Se Old Goa Village Panchayat and the Church – have voiced their concerns. While the panchayat said it was ‘clueless’ about the work, the Church clarified that it had reservations about certain aspects of the construction and had not given its no-objection certificate (NOC).
The activists have also been demanding inquiry into the alleged theft of materials from the excavation site till it was stopped by the ASI on March 22.
The Se Old Goa Village Panchayat on Friday decided to hold a joint inspection of the site with the officials of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department, National Monument Authority (NMA) and the Department of Tourism and then take a decision based on the suggestions received in the gram sabha.
Acting sarpanch Ambar Amonkar said that the file pertaining to the proposed heritage interpretation centre and parking at Old Goa heritage site under PRASAD scheme has been submitted to the panchayat for permission and now it has been decided to call for a joint inspection of the site. The date for the inspection has not been announced yet.
“Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte said that the project will be kept on hold till the government gets all the permissions from the ASI and the Church authorities. So we have decided to hold an inspection along with Department of Tourism, ASI, TCP Department and NMA, place the inspection report before the gram sabha and then take a decision based on the suggestions received in the gram sabha,” Amonkar said.
Some activists on Friday claimed that cannonballs discovered during excavation were of historical importance and alleged that the ASI was taking it lightly. Citizens For Democracy convenor Elvis Gomes produced a book titled “The Cannons of Goa” and said how these cannons were used for warfare during the old regime and were priceless artefacts. He said that the ASI instead of protecting these monuments, is allowing and granting approvals to carry out works within the heritage sites.
