Haunted by corruption, Goans rise in protest, guns blazing

ABOUT TIME

Goans are often stereotyped as susegad or laid-back. But when their homeland is under attack, their real character emerges. And, the same was seen today in Goa's capital city, Panjim.

POWERFUL PROTEST

Several Goans united to protest the mass destruction and illegal sale of their land outside the Town and Country Planning office in Patto, Panjim, late in the afternoon, despite the scorching October sun.

LURKING ISSUES

Many travelled from distant villages to support the cause and fight against the illegalities, mass deforestation, and other pressing issues that haunt Goa and its people.

WAKE-UP CALL

Social activists like Claude Alvares, Fr Bolmax Pereira (in picture), Alina Saldanha, Tara Kerkar and several like-minded locals took turns to lambast rampant corruption that has now reached a critical point.

SACK THE GUILTY

The agitation was primarily directed at the Chief Town Planner, Rajesh Naik, whom they accused of selling Goan land without authorisation and, ironically, without any proper planning.

HAND IN GLOVES

People also voiced concerns about their respective villages and expressed anger against Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and MLA Vishwajit Rane, whom they accused of being complicit in corruption.

SHAME AND SCANDAL

They chanted slogans and demanded that the ministers cease their shameful sale of Goan land that rightfully belongs to the people of Goa and their future generations.

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