OLD GOA
The satyagrahis remained adamant that they would continue with their fast satyagraha till the demolition of the structure, even as Se Old Goa panchayat authorities paid a visit to them and requested them to call off their protest.
As the fast satyagraha entered the 22nd day on Wednesday, the panchayat authorities led by Sarpanch Janita Madkaikar met the satyagrahis at the protest site at the precincts of the St Cajetan church, and requested them to call off their protest while promising that the panchayat will not rest till the structure is demolished.
“The panchayat has already started the process of demolition, and on December 23, will decide to revoke the licences for the structure. Just like you, we are also committed to getting the structure demolished,” panch Vishwas Kuttikar informed.
Madkaikar and the local panch then pleaded with the satyagrahis to call off their strike in light of the assurance given by the panchayat.
However, the satyagrahis were unmoved by the assurance as they said that they do not have trust in anyone anymore.
“We don’t want assurances but concrete action by the panchayat. We want to see a demolition order from the panchayat, only then we could think of calling off the satyagraha,” the satyagrahis said in one voice.
Meanwhile, Adv Carlos Ferreira said he is willing to help the panchayat and will provide documents that will help in the matter.
“I will provide documents which will help in the demolition process,” Adv Ferreira stated and added that in the next 2-3 days he will publicly announce the future course of action.
“For the moment, I do not have authentic documents and am waiting to get the same to reveal the plan ahead,” the lawyer added while stating that there is a deep fraud involved in the issue.
Adv Ferreira also advised the panchayat to follow the due legal process of demolition and not to leave any loophole.
