GBA FORCED TO CUT SHORT MEETING AT CHICALIM

Members of the Goa Bachao Abhiyan (GBA) were compelled to cut short their public meeting at Chicalim as they had failed to obtain a no objection certificate (NOC) from the authorities concerned to conduct the same. Incidentally, the meet was aimed at informing the villagers of Chicalim about the drawbacks of the DLF project in the village. It was organized by members of the Chicalim Village Action Committee (CVAC) and Concerned Residents of Mormugao (CRM) in collaboration with the GBA. However, the meeting was interrupted by the Vasco police who sought a copy of the NOC from GBA. "People had recommended that spot as village meetings were generally held there," GBA convenor Sabina Martins said. "However, we did not want to create a law and order situation, so we decided to wind up the meeting," she added. GBA members also clarified that the police were informed of the meeting on Saturday and that pamphlets were subsequently circulated informing the general public of the event. They alleged that Rahul D'Costa, ex-sarpanch of Chicalim, along with a group of people, tried to thwart the meeting with the help of the police. "The meeting was organized on the request of the villagers as they wanted to be informed about the ills of the upcoming project. Nevertheless, although the meet was interrupted, our purpose was fulfilled, as we were able to distribute 300 pamphlets containing all the drawbacks of the DLF project. All the information was obtained under the Right To Information Act," said GBA member Edwin Mascarenhas.