Activists spoil Goa New Year party for tourists

TOO RISKY, NOT TOURISTY: Tourists have been given a Dec 28 deadline to leave Goa.

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Panaji: The party might end well before the New Year in Goa this time. India's most favoured tourist destination could be off limits to tourists.

Activists and political parties opposing commercial development in the state are telling tourists to get off the beaches or face a violent agitation.

Thousands of tourists who have already reached the state for the last “happening” event of the season have been given a December 28 deadline by the anti-SEZ organisations to leave the state.

“We have asked tourists to leave the state before 28th as we don’t want to harm them in any manner. They are our guests and agitation can take any turn. We don't want them to be a victim of our agitation. Let them enjoy Christmas here and leave before New Year,” says Convenor, Goa's Movement Against SEZ, Mathany Saldanha.

"We want them to leave Goa this season so that they can come next year and enjoy Goa," he reiterated.

Opposition parties and NGOs who have been spearheading the anti-SEZ movement for the last few weeks say their agitation might take an ugly turn now.

Saldanha demanded, "Everybody, including the opposition, gram panchayats want to scrap the SEZ, then what is the problem? Today, if the government says it has cancelled the SEZ plan, we will give out a call and say that everyone is welcome," he said.

But police have filed a case against Saldhana for his statements.

The state government says it can handle the situation and is asking the tourists to enjoy their visit.

“As Tourism Minister of the state, I am taking full responsibility that nothing will happen to the tourists coming into the state. Let them come and enjoy their trip,” says Goa Tourism Minister Mickey Pacheco.

Clearly, leaving Goa three days before the New Year blast is not something the tourists will like.

But even if they decide to stay back, the party might well be spoiled for many of those associated with the tourism industry.

EX-GOA MINISTER IN TROUBLE

Digambar Kamat government has filed a criminal suo moto complaint against coordinator of the Goa's Movement Against SEZs (GMAS) and former tourism minister Mathanhy Saldanha for allegedly "attempting to incite violence" to disrupt peace and tranquility in this international tourist destination.

Disclosing this to news agency UNI, Inspector General of Police (crime) Kishan Kumar said the complaint was registered under Section 505(b) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and it would take its own course.

The case, he said, was filed with the Panjim police station last evening, based on the reports in a section of media. Saldanha on Sunday had called the tourists to go back after December 28 as the anti-SEZ agitation would take "an ugly turn"

Reacting to the news, Saldanha said he was ready to face any situation, come what may, to save Goa and its future.

He claimed that he never tried to incite the public but said the GMAS would engage in civil disobedience movement in support of its demand for scrapping of all the special economic zones to save Goa for future.

He further ridiculed the government for sparing real robbers, including some politicians, who defrauded Goa for selfish gains and were moving freely. (Report: UNI)