MARGAO
The Goans for Goa (GFG) has welcomed the circular of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stating that revoked passport holders will now be eligible to apply for the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status.
GFG convenor Kennedy Afonso said though this was long overdue, GFG is thrilled that people have finally got justice as it provides immediate relief to the hundreds of Goan people affected by the revocation of Indian passports, and subsequent denial of OCI status.
“Despite endless suffering and trauma for the last 18 months, the people affected by the revocation of passport, somehow put up a sustained pressure on the government,” he said.
Saying it is indeed a great victory for Goans, the GFG convenor thanked Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, the lawyers and the sponsors who met the expenses of filing the petition.
“GFG would like to thank Adv Radharao Gracias and Adv Carlos Ferreira, for their continuous support and guidance, and the media for highlighting the issue throughout the process,” he added.
“In a special way we need to thank all the activists specially Mariano Ferrao, Pratima Coutinho, Shankar Polgi, Sadanand Vaigankar, Clive Sequeira and Venancio Gonsalves and many others who joined us in support at Azad Maidan for Open Mike Event, which was organised to highlight the plight of revoked passport holders,” he said.
