PANJIM: The objectionable remarks against St Francis Xavier, were part of a game plan aimed at derailing the Anti- Land Conversion protests, which had put the government under severe pressure, activists have unanimously asserted. Now it is time to put the focus back on nailing the government on land conversions and continue the fight in every village and land sharks.
Proving their point, Activist Swapnesh Sherlekar said already the Chief Town Planner has joined duty and restarted signing the death warrant for Goan lands. The Lodhas have got a third project approved in South Goa, he pointed out. Further more the government has laid out an ominous plan for the fields around Bodgeshwar temple, Mapusa, he said.
Showing his frustration at the people having fallen into the Government’s trap, Swapnesh Sherlekar said, Goans don’t seem to understand what is their priority. The government assumed that Goans are fools and they have shown it.
“Chief Town Planner Rajesh Naik joined duty and he has started the business of signing files. Secondly, Lodha has got approval for a third project in South Goa. They are also planning to take out at least three villages out of five from the Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Areas, that why the disturbances in Canacona."Swapnesh Sherlekar ,
Flagging the need to regroup and fight against the Government attempts to sell Goa, Sabina Martins of the Goa Bachao Abhiyan said we have to think of the future.
“We are saving our Goa for the future generations. So we have to keep the unity and peace. We have to focus on the future and come out in a big way against the land conversions. Otherwise no Goans will be left in Goa, and we will be strangers,”Sabina Martins, Goa Bachao Abhiyan
“The dalals of the government want just this (protests). The very next day they will pass all the files, all the projects will be passed. And the work which was done through great sacrifice and sweat which Swapnesh Sherlekar, Claude Alvares, Goa Bachao Abhiyan, Rama and Xencor Polgi and all the activists have started, will all be lost. It won’t be lost but finally, the Goan will lose, because we will fight among ourselves and they (the government) will convert all the land they want.”Dr Oscar Rebello