Two days ago, Vasco MLA Daji Krishna Salkar had to intervene in an issue related to civilian entry in Naval-occupied premises. In Vasco, we have NOFRA and Varunapuri where naval officers reside. Another phase of Varunapuri, on the new highway to Sada, is Communidade land with four religious shrines — Ram Mandir, Ayyappa Temple, Kali Mandir, and a Catholic Syrian church. These are 50–60 years old and see many devotees. On Tuesday, some were stopped from using the usual gate and asked to park on the highway. Civilians face entry restrictions at Varunapuri and NOFRA. At the KV school in Varunapuri, parents need passes to drop and pick up children. While we respect defence services, retired naval staff get government jobs as ex-servicemen. But they cannot impose rules where they have no right. The colony is old and unoccupied; the PWD built the road. Citizens have a fundamental right to practise religion. Civilians and naval staff must respect each other.
