PANAJI: Continuing their Opposition to the proposed private university project, the Thivim villagers today held a protest raising serious environmental concerns, and possible displacement of locals and alleging illegal land deals.
The villagers along with former MLA, environmentalists and social workers held a protest opposing the project, proposed on the Communidade land, which is been leased out to the project proponent. The villagers have threatened to March to the Chief Minister's official residence if the project is not withdrawn.
Speaking during the protest, former MLA Kiran Kandolkar pointed out the large-scale destruction of the environment due to the construction of the University. He clarified that the protest was not against education but against the destruction of ancestral lands.
Kandolkar also raised doubts about the university’s true purpose, fearing it could eventually be converted into hotels or other commercial ventures.
Kandolkar expressed concern that local children might not benefit from the university, adding that international students could bring negative influences and could lead to anti-social activities.
Thivim resident Robert criticized the communidade for sending a defamation notice after he and other locals protested the environmental impact of the World Peace University project. "We are not against the communidade, but we received a defamation notice for speaking out against what we believe is an environmental disaster," Robert stated.
The notice, which demands ₹1 crore, was also sent to people who were not involved in the protest.
Another resident has alleged that the communidade altered land plans for the World Peace University project. "In 2018, the communidade committee passed 10,000 square meters for a Goan university, but this was manipulated," the resident said. "The land was changed to 2 lakh square meters for the World Peace University, which was not sanctioned by the previous communidade."
Geeta Shetye, a panchayat member, revealed that she has been served notice to vacate the house, which is located on the proposed land.
