Sao Jacinto islanders, Navy join hands to hoist flag

VASCO: The National Flag hoisting controversy that occurred due to a communication gap and misunderstanding on Friday brought the Indian Navy and the Sao Jacinto islanders together on Saturday afternoon. The islanders, along with the Navy personnel, hoisted the Indian National Flag and sang the National Anthem, putting a full stop to the controversy.
Following a controversy which sparked off on Friday due to a communication gap between the Navy and the islanders, the Indian Navy in its official statement on Saturday afternoon said, “After a slight misunderstanding yesterday which was on August 13, 2021, a team from Goa Naval Area and residents amicably participated in National Flag hoisting at St Jacinto island. The Flag hoisting was done at about 14.45 hrs on August 14, 2021. The residents also sang the National Anthem along with the Naval team during the event.”
Later in the evening locals from the island spoke to the media which cleared air.   
Goencho Avaaz convenor Capt Viriato Fernandes explained that two years ago when the CZMP came up the heritage structures, houses etc of the Sao Jacinto islanders were not shown in the plan. This was repeated in the Outline Development Plan draft and recently the Major Port Authority Act had the islanders worried about their houses and land. “This made them suspicious about the sudden presence of Indian Navy personnel coming on the island to hoist the flag, which had never happened before,” Fernandes said and condemned the Chief Minister’s tweet accusing Sao Jacinto islanders of acting against nation.
Local parish priest of Sao Jacinto island also explained that this was the first time the Indian Navy had come to the island to hoist the flag. The Navy personnel on Friday couldn’t show any circular or permission when they were asked about it.
“However, on Saturday some Navy personnel came to us and interacted and explained about the flag hoisting matter and the islanders along with the Navy personnel unitedly hoisted the National Flag and sang the National Anthem. This has shown that we all have respect and unity among ourselves.”
Fr Bolmax Pereira, parish priest of Chicalim church said, “The controversy of the flag hoisting could have been avoided with better communication. But also laudable is the maturity and unity shown by the Indian Navy and the Sao Jacinto islanders in this matter.”
He added, “On Saturday, Indian Navy personnel met islanders, interacted with them about this Independence Day celebration and on Saturday afternoon the islanders and Navy personnel jointly hoisted the national flag on Sao Jacinto island which is in true sense an ‘Azadi ka Amrututsav’.”
Earlier on Saturday, in a series of tweets the Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant through his official twitter handle condemned the action of the islanders of not allowing Indian Navy to hoist the National Flag on Friday.
The tweet stated, “It is unfortunate and shameful that some individuals at St Jacinto Island have objected to Hoisting of the National Flag by the Indian Navy on the occasion of India’s Independence Day. I condemn this and want to state on record that my Government will not tolerate such acts”.
Following this tweet, there was another tweet by CM sating, “I have requested the Indian Navy to go ahead with their original plan and have assured full cooperation from Goa Police. These attempts of Anti-India activities shall be dealt with an iron fist. It will always be Nation First.”
Later in the evening, after learning that all is well with the Indian Navy and the Sao Jacinto islanders, and that the National Flag had been hoisted jointly by the Indian Navy along with the Sao Jacinto islanders, the CM was quick enough to praise this incident.
In his tweet he said, “Heartening to see locals of St Jacinto Island joining the Indian Navy in hoisting the Indian Flag. I am glad, better sense prevailed. #JaiHind#NationFirst.”