VASCO
After being accused of “misguiding” locals of St Jacinto Island and leading them to initially prevent the navy from hoisting the flag on the island, NCP State President Jose Philip D'Souza on Sunday said he had never misguided anyone and hit out at Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for mixing politics with local issues.
“Had the navy shown the villagers the circular on the day of their arrival, there would have been no misunderstanding between locals and the navy at all,” D’Souza told reporters.
“I had arrived only after villagers panicked and called me when the navy began digging an area.
“Besides, the chief minister should have taken the time to ascertain facts and not mix politics with local issues. He called the islanders as anti-nationals only because they had asked the navy the purpose of their visit.”
D’Souza said there was a misunderstanding when the navy suddenly arrived at the island and began digging an area.
“No one has stopped anyone from hoisting a flag but we only asked the reason for the navy’s sudden presence on the island.”
"We have never misguided anyone. I am a resident of this island and we have all right to question people or stand with residents during any issue.
