Shop owners from Assonora, supported by the Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP), staged a protest near the village bus stand against the notices issued by the local panchayat.
The shopkeepers alleged that the government’s move to widen the existing major district road (MDR) would lead to the demolition of their long-standing businesses, even though a bypass road is already under construction nearby.
The Assonora panchayat recently issued 92 show-cause notices to roadside establishments, acting on directions from the Bombay High Court at Goa to curb illegal constructions.
Many of the shops along the MDR road have been operational for decades and form part of the village’s commercial hub.
St Andre RGP MLA Viresh Borkar, who joined the protest, lashed out at the government for what he described as a ploy to benefit real estate and hospitality interests at the cost of small Goan shopkeepers.
“The Assonora market is over 100 years old. For generations, shopkeepers have sustained their families here. But the BJP government wants to pander to the builder and hotel lobby. Their slogans of Swayampurna and Atmanirbhar Bharat are hollow,” Borkar said, adding that the government had forced shopkeepers onto the streets to defend their livelihoods.
He further pointed out that a bypass through Sirsaim is already planned, questioning why existing establishments should be targeted when an alternative alignment exists.
RGP President Manoj Parab also hit out at the panchayat, saying the local sarpanch had failed to defend villagers’ interests.
“If the sarpanch cannot take a stand for locals, he is not fit to sit in the chair. We will stand with shopkeepers to save their establishments,” Parab declared.
The agitation also highlighted concerns of unemployment and displacement.
“Many Goan youth are jobless while outsiders take over businesses by offering higher rents. Instead of supporting locals, the government is threatening their survival,” Parab said.
Among the protestors was shop owner Teja Vaigankar, a graduate running her ancestral store.
“Jobs are scarce, so I continue our family business. Now the government wants to snatch even that. With a new bypass being built, why widen this road? Clearly, this is to benefit the builder lobby, not us,” she said, also questioning the silence of the local MLA.
Shopkeepers have warned of intensified agitation if the government proceeds with demolition plans.
