Vasco: Sao Jacinto islanders on Friday objected to the Indian Navy’s plan to hoist the National flag on Sao Jacinto island as part of the 75 years of India’s independence.
On Friday morning, some Indian Navy personnel who had gone to the island to see the site for the purpose of hoisting the national flag to commemorate the 75 years of India’s independence faced objections from the islanders who said the island is private and belongs to the traditional fishermen.
NCP Goa president Jose Philip Dsouza told the media, “The locals from the island hoist the national flag every year and this land belongs to the Gaonkars who are traditional fishermen and these people do not allow outsiders to get involved in the affairs of the island.”
D’souza further said, “The island does not have any outsiders staying and only islanders reside here. No one stays on rent nor are outsiders allowed to buy land on this island.” He warned that the islanders will not remain quiet if the State and Central governments tries to take over the Sao Jacinto island.
Another local said, “The Navy personnel who visited the island claimed that they will hoist the flag as per the Central government circular.”
He said the Navy personnel claimed that they contacted the parish priest but since they had no permissions the people raised objections and the Navy personnel left the island.
