Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Feb 23: Anger over rampant land conversions under Section 39A of the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act intensified on Sunday as St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar’s hunger strike unto death entered its second day at Azad Maidan. With the government refusing to concede to his demands, protest leaders announced a massive agitation on Monday, aiming to mobilise nearly 4,000 people to press for scrapping of Section 39A.

What began as a protest by residents of Palem-Siridao village has now grown into a statewide movement, drawing support from environmentalists, activists and opposition parties. Around 600 people gathered at Azad Maidan on Sunday, with supporters arriving from Sattari, Mandrem, Usgao, Salcete, Tivim and other parts of Goa.

Revolutionary Goans (RG) treasurer Ajay Kholkar declared that the agitation would intensify. “We have decided to take this movement against Section 39A ahead and on Monday, together with activists and political parties, we will hold a ‘Karo ya Maro’ andolan. Let us show the BJP government the unity of Goans through a massive protest,” he said.

The agitation began with a march to the TCP department on February 20 demanding revocation of land use change approval for 76,000 sqm in Palem-Siridao allegedly granted for the benefit of a single company. It has since snowballed into a broader demand to scrap all approvals granted under Section 39A.

Addressing supporters, Borkar said, “We have been taught to put our lives on stake, but villages should be protected at any cost. The stambh at Azad Maidan is a symbol of agitation for freedom and peace. People sacrificed their lives for freedom. We must fight for the freedom of our hills and villages.”

With the state assembly session less than a fortnight away, opposition parties view the protest as an opportunity to consolidate their stand against the Pramod Sawant-led government.

Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao said elected representatives have the right to raise public issues and protest policies harmful to their constituencies. “The government only understands the language of protests. All opposition parties and NGOs must set aside differences and mobilise 4,000 to 5,000 people at Azad Maidan,” he said.

Goa Forward Party president Vijai Sardesai met Borkar and demanded suspension of the police inspector who allegedly issued verbal orders to drag the MLA out of the TCP office. “If an MLA is manhandled for standing up for his people, no resident is safe in Goa. Due process was not followed,” he said.

Police presence at Azad Maidan was increased from one van to three as the crowd swelled. Protesters raised slogans against the government and TCP minister Vishwajit Rane, interspersed with traditional songs.

AAP MLA Venzy Viegas called for opposition unity, stating that all parties must come together in the larger interest of Goa.

Earlier, RG leader Manoj Parab issued a two-hour ultimatum to the government to scrap Section 39A and act against the police personnel allegedly involved in manhandling the MLA. With no response from the government, protesters resolved to reconvene at Azad Maidan on Monday at 4 pm.

Borkar and his supporters remain stationed at the venue, while an ambulance with paramedics has been kept on standby to monitor his health condition.