Residents of Chimbel village in Goa intensified their ongoing agitation on Sunday by taking a protest march, or 'morcha', to the residence of their local legislator, Santa Cruz MLA Rodolfo Fernandes. The villagers are demanding the scrapping of two government projects—a Unity Mall and a 17-storey Prashaasan Stambh (Administrative Tower)—which they claim threaten a vital local wetland.
Confrontation at MLA's Doorstep
Police personnel intervened to stop the angry protesters from entering the MLA's house, but the crowd continued their sloganeering outside. The core demand was for Fernandes to come out and address their concerns directly. The villagers expressed frustration, alleging that their elected representative has sided with the government instead of championing their cause against the twin projects.
In his defence, MLA Rodolfo Fernandes stated that no one from the village had approached him formally to discuss the issue before the protest. He alleged that the demonstration was orchestrated by the Revolutionary Goans (RG) party, which he claimed instigated the villagers to bring the morcha to his doorstep. "RG has politicised the issue. My intention is to protect the Toyyar lake. The government has declared the area as a wetland," Fernandes said.
A Stalemate in Dialogue
Fernandes added that he was willing to engage in talks and even invited five representatives from the protesting group inside for a discussion. However, the villagers declined this offer, insisting that the MLA should step outside his house and speak to the entire gathering. This stalemate has characterised the protest, now in its second week.
Ajay Kolekar, a functionary of the RG party, questioned the MLA's reluctance. "I don't understand why the MLA is so scared to talk to his constituents. People who got him elected were at his doorstep, but he did not want to talk to them," Kolekar said. The protest also saw the presence of former AAP Goa president Amit Palekar and newly elected figure Valmiki Naik.
Environmental Concerns and Past Promises
The heart of the conflict lies in the proposed construction's proximity to the Toyyar lake. Villagers assert that the lake is a crucial source of water supply for nearby areas, including Panaji and St Inez, and is an essential lifeline for local residents. They fear the projects will irreparably damage this wetland ecosystem.
Govind Shirodkar, chairman of the Chimbel Wetland Committee, invoked past events to highlight their disappointment. "In 2018, Fernandes supported us when an IT park was proposed to be set up in the village. The IT project was finally scrapped. But the same person does not want to talk to us now. He is a coward," Shirodkar stated.
Following the confrontation at the MLA's house, the villagers proceeded to the residence of panchayat member Gauri Kamat. They have announced a continued agitation, with a protest planned at the Chimbel panchayat office on Monday. A larger mega march to the state assembly complex is scheduled for Thursday, coinciding with the ongoing winter session, to amplify their demand for the projects to be cancelled.
