OLD GOA
Tension flared up at St Estevam on Sunday evening, when a group of locals confronted TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai, Revenue Minister Rohan Khaunte and GFA President Churchill Alemao over the development of a playground in the village.
According to locals, the incident took place at a final of a football tournament organised by the Santo Estevam Sports Club after a priest present at the tournament addressed the gathering about the role of a priest, stating that he should be a ‘gonvlli’ (pastor) rather than being a ‘gonvddo’ (mason).
Assuming it to be indirectly referring to the St Estevam parish priest, a group of people got agitated and started confrontations with TCP minister Vijai Sardesai, Revenue Minister Rohan Khaunte and GFA President Churchill Alemao, who had extended their support to the demand of developing the area into a playground.
The three were present as guests for the final of the tournament.
Speaking to The Goan, St Estevam Deputy Sarpanch Chiarra Gomes informed that the people were unhappy with the statements made by the priest, who had addressed the gathering.
“We went to put forth our views to the three dignitaries present, but they did not listen and just walked away. The people are opposing the development of the area, where the tournament was organised, into a playground,” said Gomes. “This area is a catchment area where rainwater collects. It should be maintained as it is and not converted into a playground. St Estevam already has a playground which still awaits upgradation facilities like pavillion and changing room.”
“The development of the low-lying area into a ground has been opposed by majority of the villagers and the panchayat is with the people in opposing the same.”
“We have written to the authorities concerned citing our objections and in the days to come we will have a meeting with the TCP minister regarding the issue,” Gomes informed.
A villager, Nestor Rangel, smelled a hidden agenda behind the move to invite ministers for a small tournament. “These people have lost control of the panchayat, comunidade and now they want to rope in people to further their agenda,” said Rangel, while questioning the need to rake up issues not connected with the tournament.
Rangel further said that 99 percent of the people oppose the development of the low-lying area into a playground and would continue to do so.
