MARGAO
The authorities on Saturday made a retreat after Scheduled Tribes leader Camilo Barretto and locals resisted an attempt to pull down a banner paying respect to Fr Bismarque Dias at Borda.
While the Margao Municipal Council had succeeded in tearing down the banner put up by the South Goa Scheduled Tribes Association on the occasion of the third death anniversary, the authorities had to beat a retreat after the president of the association Camilo Barretto displayed the receipt of the payment made to the civic body to put up the banner.
“MMC officials came to remove the banner, but I objected on the grounds that I have a valid receipt from the council clearly mentioning that I have paid the fees to display the same,” Camilo told the media. He lamented that despite the requisite permission to display the banner of Fr Bismarque from November 9-30, the authorities made an abortive bid to remove it, before realization dawned on the authorities, including the police, that it had been put up after paying the license fees.
“I told the authorities that I had no personal interest in putting up the banner. It was a banner to pay tribute to Fr Bismarque, who fearlessly fought to protect Goa’s environment over the years,” Camilo said.
