Leaders of the Chimbel protest address the crowd during the Maha Andolan held at Old Goa on Friday. Captured by : Narayan Pissurlenkar
PANAJI
The persistence of Chimbel villagers with their agitation against the Unity Mall and Prashasan Stambh projects continues to puzzle the government, coming as it does in the face of public assurances that both projects will be relocated.
The protesting villagers, however, insist that the government’s communication lacks legal sanctity.
On Friday, the issue came to the fore during the Maha Andolan held at Old Goa. Protesters said the government’s press release and the Tourism Director’s letter were inadequate.
They argued that the communication was not legally binding and failed to address jurisdictional concerns.
The Prashasan Stambh project falls under the General Administration Department. Protesters questioned how the Director of Tourism could issue a letter on
its relocation.
“Unless you get an official and legally valid written letter from the concerned department, you cannot trust the government,” said Govind Shirodkar, Chairman of the Chimbel Biodiversity Management Committee and a leading face of the agitation.
Shirodkar also linked their agitation to a broader State-wide resistance against what they termed “reckless development.”
He said the movement was not confined to Chimbel but was part of a larger fight to protect Goa’s environment and biodiversity.
The government, meanwhile, maintains that relocation has been assured. Officials argue that the agitation is unnecessary, yet villagers remain firm that only concrete, legally valid orders will end their protest.
Friday’s gathering at Old Goa highlighted the deep distrust between the administration and the people. For the villagers, the fight is more than just the two projects; it is about resisting unscientific planning and safeguarding Goa’s natural heritage.
