PANAJI
St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar of the Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP) on Thursday night called off his six day hunger strike at Azad Maidan after receiving official confirmation that all provisional and final land conversion proposals under Section 39A in his constituency have been suspended with immediate effect.
Fellow protester Tushar Gawas also ended his fast.
The communication, issued on the Chief Town Planner’s letterhead and handed over by North Goa Collector Ankit Yadav, addressed clarifications sought by Borkar.
Before formally withdrawing, he consulted villagers from Siridao Palem, who had spearheaded and supported the agitation.
He hailed their steadfastness, particularly the women, some of whom are vendors and even a 90 year old participant.
“This was our second fight for freedom,” Borkar declared, breaking his fast with prasad from the Sateri temple offered by activist Norma Alvares.
Environmentalists Claude and Norma Alvares were present throughout, providing legal guidance.
Borkar expressed gratitude to Goans worldwide, opposition parties, and RGP leaders for their solidarity.
Earlier, North Goa Collector Ankit Yadav met Borkar at the Azad Maidan site of the fast, armed with a letter issued by the Chief Town Planner that the government has "suspended" all the zoning change proposals under 39A in his St Andre constituency.
Borkar however, refused to withdraw his protest, insisting on outright "cancellation" of all zoning changes under 39A in St Andre and not mere 'suspension' of the proposals.
Collector Yadav personally made a second visit later and met Borkar with a request to call off his fast but to no avail.
Borkar and the other leadership of the agitation have rejected the communication of the Chief Town Planner, arguing that “suspension” carried no legal weight and demanded categorical cancellation.
They also sought clarity on whether the proposals could be revived later, insisting that only outright cancellation would be acceptable.
