Media Release 

Panaji, Dec 2: MPs Shantaram Naik and Francisco Sardinha called on A K Anthony, union minister for defence at his office in South Block, New Delhi  and demanded that the defence ministry should withdraw the permission given, if any, to Indian Navy to approach Goa Government with regard to two islands near Vasco-Da-Gama.

In a memorandum signed by both the MPs , they have contended the Indian Navy has proposed to acquire two islands known as “St George Islands” and the Bimmvel beach, off the western coast of Goa,  consisting of over 30 lakh sq meters  of land in Mormugao taluk in South Goa district. MPs stated that although Navy has put forth a proposal before the government of Goa for land acquisition, the government of Goa has not consented to the proposal in view of their past bad experience with the Navy and in view of the opposition of the people at large, particularly villagers of Chicolna and Bambolim, they stated.

People in Goa strongly opposed to the acquisition and they feel that the centre should not encourage the Navy in getting the land from the government in the name of security, MPs stated.

Civilians feel helpless when a ground like security is put forth and, defence forces should not be allowed to take advantage of the situation, memorandum adds.
   
Memorandum recalled  that Navy got recorded in the land survey records, vast land to establish a Naval base in the state, without the acquisition of land from the state government and when Airport Authority required the land for expansion of Dabolim Airport, it refused to part away even a few acres,  when the land in fact, belongs to the Goa government.

When an island known as Anjadiv island of the South Goa Coast,  was handed over by the state to Navy upon their similar request, a few years back, Navy despite signing a MOU is refusing to permit Christian community  to visit the church situated on the island, MPs stated.

In case of Anjadiv also, MPs told the minister that Navy put forward security reason for not allowing Christian community to visit the church there. The suggestion made to them that the community people be taken under tight security and brought back similarly, was unheeded, they added.

However,  people are taken to the island on the Navy Day under security, but Navy is not willing to follow the same procedure in case of the visit of Christian community. The two  islands, if acquired,  are likely to be utilized by Navy for purposes other than the national security as, it is learnt, a few years back, some ex-Navy men were inquiring  with the owners of the islands about  purchasing the  of land, stated the memorandum.

There is a cross, as well as a tulsi, at one of the islands, and that a ladainha (litany) is held at the cross once every year. Besides, there are several boatmen who earn their living offering boat rides to tourists and conducting scuba diving activities. If the islands are taken possession of by the Navy, it will put an end to a part of their tradition and culture, MPs told the minister.

It is learnt that the defence minister was positive in his approach and has assured Naik and Sardinha to do the needful in the matter.