the goan I network
VASCO
Tension prevailed at Sancoale on Wednesday morning after two groups of villagers converged at the site where an inspection was scheduled for proposed expansion of an internal road leading to the old church at Sancoale.
The archdiocese's decision to shift the celebration of the Novena and Feast of St Joseph Vaz from the usual Sanctuary to the site of the old Church of Sancoale has caused a rift within the community in Sancoale, with two group of locals taking opposite positions in the matter.
Officials of Mormugao PDA, Mamlatdar Satish Prabhu, Additional Collector South Agnelo Fernandes and Fr Noel da Costa, Assistant to the Financial Administrator of the Archdiocese, were present to inspect the site. A police force was also present at the site to manage law and order.
The two groups argued with the authorities present at the site and put forth their positions. While other authorities at the site refused to comment, Additional Collector (South) Agnelo Fernandes said he was present at the site to maintain law and order. "From the information I have, no structure would be touched or altered to widen the internal road,"
said Fernandes.
Authorities interacted with both groups before leaving the site.
OPPOSITION TO RELOCATION
The group opposing the relocation of the venue questioned the presence of authorities at the site for road expansion leading to the heritage site and right up to the river.
"Why did authorities come? Who has cleared the site near heritage site? If church authorities talk about environment, then who has permitted them to cut trees and clear the ground near the protected monument? They have done filling of land. Why do they need the road beyond the gate of the protected monument?" asked Agustin Moniz.
Lawrence Goes added: "People are working near the protected monument till 3 am and disturb people. Why are they taking the road right till the river? People are forced to change their compounds to accommodate the road."
"Where is the infrastructure here for the feast? When we have requested the feast be held at the sanctuary and all arrangements are in place, why are people being troubled here?" he questioned further.
Another resident, Narayan Naik, said he was willing to give his area for the road, but warned that people would stop the road expansion work if the road was constructed inside the gate of the protected monument.
