Panaji Residents and Freedom Fighter Evicted from CCP Meeting Amid Casino Protest
In a dramatic turn of events on Thursday, several Panaji residents and the esteemed freedom fighter and Padma Shri awardee, Libia Lobo Sardesai, were forcibly removed by police from the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) council hall. The eviction occurred as they gathered to protest against the impending arrival of a new offshore casino vessel in the Mandovi River.
Meeting Cancellation Sparks Outrage
Residents who arrived at the CCP to pass a resolution against the upcoming casino were met with a significant police presence at the council hall. To their dismay, they were informed that the scheduled meeting on this critical matter had been abruptly cancelled. CCP commissioner Clen Madeira clarified that the official notice for the council meeting had not been issued to the corporators, leaving the protesters stranded without a platform.
Voices of Concern Against Casino Expansion
Social activist Sabina Martins and former corporator Patricia Pinto joined the residents in expressing strong opposition to the casino. They had previously met with Mayor Rohit Monserrate, who had agreed to present their complaints before the CCP during the meeting. State AAP president Valmiki Naik also accompanied the locals to alert authorities about Delta Corp's new 112-metre offshore casino vessel, emphasizing its massive scale.
"The vessel being brought in is six times the size of the vessel that it replaces. It is bigger than any of the buildings in Panaji. The government has increased its mischief," Naik stated, highlighting the environmental and social impact.
Patricia Pinto added, "These casinos affect the daily lives of the residents of Panaji. If the mayor is not concerned about the residents and the city, and only wants to have a meeting about Carnival, then he has got his priorities wrong."
Mayor's Apology and Political Accusations
Mayor Rohit Monserrate later apologized for the confusion, explaining that he had invited the residents under the assumption that the meeting notice had already been distributed to corporators. He acknowledged the desire to halt casino entries but noted that the CCP has no authority in licensing casinos.
"The new vessel is going to come to Reis Magos. The CCP has nothing to do with issuing licences for the casinos," Monserrate said, suggesting that the issue is being politicized ahead of the upcoming CCP elections. "For five years, these people were quiet. That whole group is full of AAP and Congress people," he told a local TV channel, implying partisan motives behind the protest.
Broader Implications for Panaji
This incident underscores the ongoing tension between urban development, resident welfare, and commercial interests in Panaji. The protest highlights concerns over the proliferation of casinos and their impact on local communities, while the political fallout reflects deeper electoral dynamics. As the debate continues, residents remain vigilant against what they perceive as unchecked expansion threatening their city's character and quality of life.
