On February 10, there was protest at 3rd Ward Colva against the abuses by specific North Indian builders against local Colva fishermen in presence of the Colva Police at the site. And the Colva police instead of filing an FIR against the builders filed an FIR against the fisherman and his family. We know senior government ministers and police are compromised by the wealthy, influential north Indian builders but my question to the Colva panchas as to how they being Colvenkars allowed this project to progress despite so many objections and illegalities. The panch from the third ward had made a press statement some time back that panchas can’t do anything as they will be overruled by the BDO and Directorate of Panchayat; which we know is absolutely not true. I request Colva panchas to work truly for the interest of the village and let go of any potential benefits from the black money rich builder lobby (mainly from outside Goa). Colva panchayat has the power to stop any destructive project despite any outside forces trying to push these projects through.
