Even as former Sancoale sarpanch Premanand Naik’s indefinite fast against the Bhutani Infra project entered its sixth day, and opposition to the project grew stronger, the Sancoale village panchayat has reportedly sought the opinion of two lawyers and has written to the Advocate General of Goa regarding revoking the construction licence issued to Bhutani Infra.
It is learnt that the construction company does not possess several permissions. Hence, it appears to be an open-and-shut case, and the licence needs to be revoked on a war footing. Time is running out concerning the life of the ex-sarpanch who is on an indefinite hunger strike. His health is deteriorating as he is a senior citizen with several health issues. Several citizens from across the state have been visiting the striking senior citizen, inquiring about his health and trying to persuade him to withdraw the hunger strike.
However, the powers that be, including the members of the present Sancoale village panchayat, seem to be unmoved by the plight of their former sarpanch. Be that as it may, it must be said that the indefinite hunger strike has galvanised Goans across the state to raise their voices against construction activities on forest land and the indulging in hill-cutting in their locality. This hunger strike is now not just a fight to save Sancoale village from total destruction, but villages across the state where such illegalities are being carried out.
