BICHOLIM: Narve villagers and activists held a candlelight vigil at Tirtha-Narve, Bicholim, demanding justice for Fr Bismarque Dias.
Narve resident Namdev Malvankar said it was Fr Bismarque who supported the villagers when they werefighting the proposed Seascan project.
“It was Fr Bismarque who made us aware about the hazards that the project would bring upon the village. He was a guiding force and was always with us,” Malvankar said.
Activist Lisa Dias Noronha said Fr Bismarque loved St Estevam and Narve. “He was always ready to help the villagers and brought about awareness. He has given us courage to stand against all illegalities and will always be a source of inspiration,” Noronha said.
Prajal Sakhardande, Convener of Heritage Action Group, said Fr Bismarque was like a green warrior always in the forefront to save the mangroves that had been cut along the banks of Tirtha at Narve.
“We have lost ahelping hand and will always miss him. We chose this site to pay homage to Fr Bismarque as he fought to conserve the sanctity of this place,” Sakhardande said.
