VASCO
Tensions between Indian Navy and locals of St Jacinto Island were finally diffused on Saturday afternoon after the Navy officials and residents of the island led by a local priest hoisted the National flag at St Jacinto Island and also sang the national anthem.
Naval authorities later issued a press release stating that after a slight misunderstanding on Friday, a team from Goa Naval Area and residents amicably participated in National flag hoisting at St Jacinto Island.
Fr Johnsie Pereira said the Navy officials on Thursday began digging at a place on the island, much to the shock of the locals.
"Our villagers questioned the officials who said that they wanted to hoist a flag but had no documents nor did they explain anything. The villagers had never seen presence of Navy here and there was a lot of misunderstanding. But today the Navy officials explained to us about the event and we welcomed them once things were made clear. We jointly hoisted the National flag and sang the National anthem. We have shown our unity and also displayed our love and respect for the nation and our National flag,” said Fr Pereira.
Captain Viriato Fernandes said the incident on Friday was only due to a misunderstanding but was unceremoniously made infamous.
"The villagers hoist the National flag every Independence Day and Republic Day but they were surprised as Navy too wanted to hoist the flag there. The villagers got suspicious because the draft CZMP does not show their houses, heritage structures and also important landmarks are missing from the plan. A few months later the draft ODP 2030 prepared by MPDA also did not show houses but shown wide roads indicating that mega projects could be in the pipeline, this could mean the villagers have lost authority over the island and they had the justification to question the Navy,” Capt Viriato said.
However the matter was resolved and the islanders showed their maturity, said Capt Viriato.
