PANJIM: The opposition to the DefExpo has knocked on the doors of the High Court of Bombay at Goa. Orixt Porjecho Avaz (OPA) that has been fighting the DefExpo at Quittol filed a petition in the High Court on Monday that was taken up on Tuesday and a hearing has been fixed on Wednesday. OPA is represented by Advocate Ryan Menezes.
The main contention of the petition is that the villagers are unaware of what is happening on the plateau and that permission of the local body has not been taken.
An OPA spokesperson said the HC has issued notices to the Goa government whereas the petitioner served notices to the State and Centre on Monday. Goa government will file a reply on Wednesday.
OPA has been opposing the DefExpo at Quittol and also opposing the allotment of the area as a permanent venue for the expo. It has held a series of protests and agitations opposing the expo citing various reasons. The movement was also supported by various NGOs, including some Church bodies.
A few OPA members, as well as two ZP members and village panchayat members, were sent notices through the Quepem deputy collector asking them to enter into a bond of Rs 20,000 with one surety to keep the peace during the DefExpo.
Despite the notices, the OPA members and the villagers have said they will continue their protest.
