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BOILING POINT AT BETUL PLATEAU
* Agitators defy government's threat to file an FIR against those opposing the DefExpo project
* Hundreds of locals from Betul and other nearby villages gather at Betul plateau junction
* They stop three trucks loaded with barricades and makeshift infrastructure from entering the plateau
* We are ready to go to prison, says Orixtt Porjecho Avaz (OPA) Spokesperson Freddy Fernandes
* Villagers disburse at 1 pm, but will be back at the site on February 25, says Freddy Fernandes
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CURCHOREM: The stage is set for a massive showdown between a defiant State government and an equally resolute opposition comprising locals from various villages, over the proposed DefExpo and Aeroshow atop the Betul plateau in March.
The battlelines were drawn for the showdown on Wednesday, as agitating residents of different villages, spearheaded by the Orixtt Porjecho Avaz (OPA), sent back three trucks that had gone to the site to set up makeshift infrastructure and other material for the project.
This is for the second time that locals have prevented agencies from visiting the plateau, after defence trucks were sent back earlier on February 15.
Unfazed by the government's threat to file an FIR against those opposing the DefExpo project at Betul, hundreds of locals from Betul, Cananguinim, Naqueri, Quittol, Khola, Nuem, Cabo de Rama and other nearby villages gathered at Betul plateau junction.
The locals then stopped the three trucks loaded with barricades and makeshift infrastructure from entering the Betul plateau.
Orixtt Porjecho Avaz (OPA) Spokesperson Freddy Fernandes criticised the BJP government and Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar for forcibly imposing the DefExpo project on locals, despite their opposition to the project.
“We are ready to go to prison, but we will not allow the DefExpo at Betul plateau,” warned Fernandes.
“After receiving information that there would be a site visit by officials of the DefExpo, the people of Naqueri-Betul Panchayat gathered in large numbers supported by other NGOs and politicians at the site to stop officials from visiting the site.”
“While the wait was on for the officials, three trucks arrived with barricade/fencing material which were sent back. On being informed that the scheduled visit was cancelled, the villagers disbursed at 1 pm, but the people will be back at the site on February 25,” Fernandes said.
Fr Ermito Rebello, who was present at the site, added: “We are ready to sacrifice our lives, but we will not allow DefExpo at Betul. This land belongs to the people and it does not belong to Manohar Parrikar or the BJP.”
Another speaker, Prashant Naik, accused the government of forcing the DefExpo on the local people, without taking them into confidence. “This is undemocratic. If any law and order situation takes place, the government will be solely responsible for this,' warned Naik.
Others present at the site included Rainbow Warriors, Goa Forward, Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardessai, United Goan Foundation member Ashish Kamat, Canaguinim Parish Priest Fr Agapito D'Cunha, Betul Parish Priest Fr Albino Mendonca, Quepem Chairperson Filu D'Costa and Betul Panchayat members.
THE GOAN NETWORK
CURCHOREM: Claiming to have received information that the government would impose Section 144 CrPC in Quittol to continue with DefExpo works, the Orixtt Porjecho Avaz (OPA) has written to the South Goa Collector requesting not to pass any order imposing Section 144 CrPC at Quittol-Naqueri.
“It has come to our knowledge that the government is attempting to impose Section 144 of CrPC at Naqueri in Betul Panchayat, in order to sabotage the constitutional protests of villagers,” stated a letter by the OPA to the South Goa collector.
In a press note, OPA Spokesperson Freddy Fernandes said they had requested the South Goa collector not to impose Section 144 CrPC at the site, as it would be unconstitutional on the peaceful protesters.
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Goa stands to make
Rs 400 cr: Parsekar
BUSINESS WITH PLEASURE
* Structural set at venue tendered for Rs 70 crore
* Tendering for internal furnishings at Rs 300 crore
* All five star hotels in South Goa fully booked
* Lower star hotels, and also taxis have been booked
* Over 5,000 staff expected to descend in the state
* Also, over 1-lakh business delegates coming to Goa
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ABOUT THE EVENT
* From March 28 to 31
* 870 nations coming
* Up from 550 in 2014
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PANAJI: The coming of DefExpo to Goa will see around ₹400 crore being pumped into the State in the form of various local purchases and procurements for the infrastructure, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar announced as he sought to extol the benefits of the four day event.
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday evening, Parsekar said that with all the furnishing and structural elements for the temporary structures to be procured locally, he expected more than ₹400 crore would be pumped into the state out of which ₹100 crore would be government revenue generated through various taxes.
“The entire structural set up for the venue have been tendered for ₹70 crore. The internal furnishings have been tendered for ₹300 crore. Besides this all five star hotels in South Goa are fully booked and even the lower star hotels are being booked, taxis have been booked,” Parsekar said adding that more than 5,000 staff are expected to descend in the state as well as over 1-lakh business delegates of the various companies.
“We are organising the event at a time when the tourism season is fading away. It will give a boost to the tourism sector in the State. It is like organising a Sunburn but during the off season,” Parsekar said.
The event to be held from March 28 to 31 will witness the participation of 870 countries, up from the 550 it was in 2014 when the event was held in Delhi.
Parsekar instead blamed the opposition on the fact that “fortunately or unfortunately it is coming to Goa in an election year.”
“All the internal furnishings will be procured locally from Goa,” Parsekar said adding that a special presentation on the issue of the DefExpo was being held at the South Goa Collectorate to explain several issues relating to the expo to those who have doubts and those who are opposing the holding of the even in Quittol plateau near Betul including panchayat members, members of the Orixtt Porjecho Avaz, who are opposing the expo and others.The work on setting up the infrastructure for the project is expected to commence tomorrow. Several political parties including the Congress have vowed to oppose the project tooth and nail.
