COMMUNITY STANDS FIRM: RGP President Manoj Parab, joined by local residents, addresses concerns over the alleged illegal construction in Anjuna.
MAPUSA
The simmering anger in Anjuna boiled over on Wednesday as Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP) President Manoj Parab joined villagers protesting against alleged hill cutting and illegal construction just metres from the sea.
He launched a fierce attack on Calangute MLA Michael Lobo and his wife, Siolim MLA Delilah Lobo accusing the couple of “systematically selling Goa” through rampant land deals and shady partnerships.
“This is not development — it’s destruction,” Parab thundered, before the crowd gathered near the controversial site. A viral video had earlier shown machinery cutting into the hill barely 20 metres from the shoreline.
“At high tide, the sea water must be touching this hill. And yet, they’re building a cemented wall right here – a man-made barrier against nature,” he said.
Parab alleged that the property, under Survey No 41/3, belongs to the Lobos’ son, Daniel, who has obtained permission for a retaining wall and applied for land conversion.
“This is how they operate – buy, convert and construct. They’ve turned Goa’s land into a private business empire,” Parab charged.
He accused the MLA couple of spearheading the destruction of Goa’s coastline, from Calangute and Candolim to Siolim and Anjuna.
“Everywhere you go – Siolim-Marna, Siolim-Sodiem, Vagator, Assagao, Verla-Canca – tin sheets are hiding ongoing construction works,” Parab alleged.
“The Anjuna panchayat alone has issued more than 100 construction licences in the last three years,” he added
The RGP chief didn’t mince words when attacking the ruling dispensation.
“Now we know why Michael and Delilah left the Congress for the BJP – to protect their illegal deals. The TCP minister exposed their black deeds when they were in Congress and then blackmailed them into joining BJP. It’s a racket disguised as politics,” he said.
Taking direct aim at Siolim MLA Delilah Lobo, Parab said, “If she can’t work without her husband, she shouldn’t be in politics. To build a road, she needs him. To develop land, she needs him. They’ve come as a couple to destroy this village.”
Calling Daniel Lobo’s talk of “heritage protection” hypocritical, Parab added, “He says he’ll save Parra’s hills but is destroying those in Anjuna. Why come here to ruin other villages?”
The RGP chief alleged that Michael Lobo has purchased 27 properties in Anjuna and partnered in 50 more projects across Siolim.
“He’s no longer an MLA; he’s a businessman in disguise — partnering with touts, lamani workers, anyone who helps him flip land. He’s selling Goa piece by piece,” Parab said.
Warning villagers of being priced out, he said, “At Rs 70,000 a square metre, how will Goan youth ever build a home? Outsiders are buying, while locals are pushed out — with our own MLAs leading the sale.”
Parab urged villagers to remain vigilant. “Keep an eye on this couple. They’ve already sold Calangute and Candolim. Now they’ve set their sights on Siolim and Anjuna,” he said.
Villagers have vowed to continue their agitation until the ongoing hill construction is stopped.
