Police ensure smoot conduct of gram sabha at Poinguinim

Police ensure smoot conduct of gram sabha at Poinguinim
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
CANACONA, NOV 21
The Poinguinim gram sabha on Sunday passed off peacefully, as police were on standby amid fears of trouble over Poinguinkarancho Ekvott’s demand for complete ban on tourism activities on Galbigaba-Talpona coast.
It may be recalled that some residents of Poinguinim under the banner of ‘Poinguinkarancho Ekvot’ (PE) had called for complete ban on tourist activities under Wildlife Protection Act, as Galgibaga beach is classified as CRZ-I being a ‘Turtle-Nesting’ site and hence the village coast up to Talpona is eco-sensitive.
Incidentally, Galgibaga Panch Caitano Barretto, who is also PE convenor, was the prime target of few members who took him to task for leading the campaign for banning tourism activities on Galgibaga-Talpona beach stretch. Barretto was also targeted for opposing a golf-course at Talpona.
Interestingly, Barretto, claiming support of his people launched a signature campaign and collected nearly 500 signatures of the people to oppose any tourism-related activities, including a golf-course promoted by a Delhi-based party at Galgibaga-Talpona beach stretch.
Anticipating trouble, a strong police force was present outside the meeting hall, but the meeting after transacting budgetary/expenditure requirements was soon called-off.
Since beginning, the meeting was unruly with two groups (one opposing and another demanding licenses for seasonal tourism activities) trading charges at each other.
At the end, no resolutions, especially imposing complete ban on tourism activities on village coast or ban on golf-course at Talpona could be passed and issues remained deadlocked.
The group vociferously demanding seasonal permits to operate tourism activities at Galgibaga-Talpona coast was told in no uncertain terms by the panchayat to first bring NOCs from CRZ, Forest Department and Tourism department.
One group demanded permits to operate seasonal shacks, huts and allow rent-outs of rooms saying it has become its livelihood. The group headed by Panch Barretto under the banner ‘Poinguinkarancho Ekvott’ pressed for passing of different resolutions completely banning any tourism-related activities, including rent-out of rooms to foreigners and golf course.
PE’s contention is that Galgibaga is only one of three beaches in the State solely preserved for turtle nesting and being classified as CRZ-I is a eco-sensitive zone and it should be protected in that form at any cost.
However, other members took the PE group and especially Panch Barretto to task for demanding withdrawal of lifeguards and removal of lifeguard tower from Galgibaga beach (who termed it as illegal on turtle nesting beach), saying lifeguards deputed there are not only for tourists but to protect locals as well, as questioned whether the panch will take responsibility for any drowning incidents at the beach.
A representative from BDO observed the proceedings, while Sarpanch Tejaswini Deykar chaired the gram sabha in the presence of most other panchas.
Panch Janardhan Bhandari, who is also Goa Pradesh Youth Congress Committee vice president, was conspicuous by his absence.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, tension flared up in Galgibaga after over 30 people went to question a Navelim resident temporarily staying at Galgibaga for his close association with ‘Poinguinikarancho Ekvott’, after which the matter was reported to police.
The Navelim native is reportedly targeted by the group for helping to draft applications for PE who are demanding complete ban on tourism activities.