PANJIM: Just when the anti- land conversion movement by thousands of Goans is heating up, and there is no way to save face, or get out of it, polarisation has been used as a tool to divert attention. In this edition of Street Voices, we asked people if the communal statement was made to hurt the sentiments of the people to divert the attention of the people from burning issues.
Today the tension is Goa is rising. A stop can be put to this. But the elected head is not taking charge to put an end to this and is allowing it to happen. It looks like this has been purposely instigated and has not been calmed down, because they want the hide the bigger agitations that are happening regarding land grabbing, hill cutting, filling of fields, land grabbing and all the other destruction that is happening in Goa.Cecille Rodrigues, Social Activist
Forty nine lakh square metres of land have been converted, mainly by migrant builders. At Sancoale, the people are protesting against Bhutani. At Chopdem people are protesting against those trying to destroy the hill. In Morjim, one Karnataka actor has destroyed the hill and has dug bore wells, depriving the people below of water. Now that there are huge protests against the Town and Country Planning Department and the Chief Town Planner, the climate is heated up. At this time religious issues are being raised against a Saint. We condemn this. This is to divert the attention of the people. All the politicians are involved in these (land scams) and they are out to finish Goa.Xencor Polgi, Social Activist
The way the BJP has executed its plan and have done as they like. The main issue of people is to save their lands. Now the Chief Town Planner is back signing the files. Till Goans have their land, they have their identity, otherwise all will be lost. I also believe in St Francis Xavier and I had a hunch that the way the agitations were going, they would do something. BJP has a cut in this. Their motive is that Goans should not be united and not live in peace.Tanoj Adwalpalkar