Team Herald
MARGAO: The South District Magistrate had planned the public hearing for a maximum of 150 people in Ravindra Bhavan, here. However, the crowd outside the Bhavan stole the show as massive protests erupted because they were not allowed to attend the hearing.
180 policemen and policewomen were called at the venue as there was sure information that there will be a huge crowd.
The public hearing included two types of speakers viz speakers who have registered as a speaker to physically remain present and give their say and another category was the speakers who have registered to be a speaker in virtual mode. They had been provided with a link for virtual participation and they could join till 5 pm.
It was also informed that 86 speakers were registered out of which 53 speakers have entered the hall and out of 70 participants only 42 participants entered the hall as per the record maintained at the entry desk.
At the venue, 10 written representations were received from the organisations, NGOs and individuals.
A representative from Sancoale Sao Jacinto Island Lavina D’Souza, who came for the hearing and left outside said, “We have been living for generations in the Sao Jacinto Island and praying in the church. The plan is not even showing the island.”
The fishermen from South Goa have opined that this is a plan to rob the local Goan communities of their lands and their living.
“This hearing should have been held in open with full participation, not in this manner. The plan is faulty and we will not accept the same,” said Custodio D’Souza.
The host of public hearing Additional Collector Surendra Naik finally in the minutes of hearing included the reaction of the politicians and activists that a large number of people were left outside the venue and were the stakeholders in CZMP.
