Anti-SEZ group warns
tourists to leave Goa
PTI, Panaji
23 December 2007
Goa's Movement Against SEZs (GMAS), a body comprising NGOs
and political parties including main Opposition BJP, on Sunday
asked tourists to leave the state by December 28 since their
agitation would be intensified and it could take an ugly turn.
"GMAS wishes the people to have a peaceful Christmas
after which it will request the tourists to leave the state
since their agitation will be intensified and it could take
an ugly turn," Convenor of the organisation Mathany Saldanha
said on Sunday afternoon.
The organisation, holding rallies and meetings across Goa
for over a month to protest proposed SEZs in the coastal state,
has also called upon the people to be prepared to make 'sacrifice'
in forgoing their New Year's celebration.
"This is required in order to safeguard the future of
their children and their identity," Saldanha said.
GMAS' call may come as a major setback to the tourism industry
which has been eagerly awaiting to encash on the New Year's
celebrations. The group's move attains significance as parties
like BJP and Shiv Sena are part of the anti-SEZ stir.
Goa's Congress-led Government has notified two SEZs while
five more had already been approved by the Centre. Eight more
proposals are pending with the Centre.
Chief Minister Digamber Kamat had said early this week that
he would consult all the stakeholders before deciding on SEZs.
"Intensification of agitation is much against our will
but the obstinacy of the government is leading GMAs to take
recourse to these measures," Saldanha said.
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