Shantaram opposes Navy taking over islands off Goa
PTI, PANAJI | 26 September 2010 21:57 IST
Indian Navy's claim over two islands off Goa coast has irked a local Member of Parliament, who today claimed the move as 'an attempt to grab the land'.
Goa's lone Rajya Sabha MP Shantaram Naik said he will take up the matter with Defence Minister A K Antony informing him about the Navy's move.
The Indian Navy's officials in Goa had expressed their willingness to take over two islands-- St. George island and Bimbvel Beach, citing security reasons.
Naik, in a press note released here, said there is no provision of navy acquiring the islands in Goa Land Acquisition Act.
He said the state chief secretary Sanjay Srivastava will be taking up the issue with the Naval authorities.
The Rajya Sabha member said these islands are a part of the State.
He also feared tourism and fishing activity and religious ceremonies could be trampled upon by the Indian Navy in the name of security, if these islands are allowed to be acquired or grabbed.
Naik said he was strongly with the villagers in and around the island opposing Indian Navy's move.
The MP said he is not ready to buy the assurance given by Indian Navy to protect the rights of fishermen community.
First of all the Dabolim airport is centrally located for all Goa. The tussle between those who want Mopa as Goa airport and those who wish to retain Dabolim is political.The Navy would want to have Dabolim solely for itself for its defence needs. The needs of the Navy would be paramount should there be a war like situation and for strategical reasons. A civilian airport and military mixed together, would be a cock-tail of sorts. So either the Navy walks off and look elsewhere for its requirements or civilians accept Mopa as an alternative. The Navy or the military cannot impose its will on the people in a democracy and have to submit to the will of the overall civilian authority. The recent tussle in Afghanistan between the Executive and the military command have defined such a situation. In any event the local distress of fishermen and other communities, aspects of military takeover of islands affecting their livelihood has to be considered
Why can not the Hon MP forcefully take up the issue of sending the Navy to Mopa from Dabolim and then expanding the existing Dabolim Airport to make it fit to receive the growing air traffic?
This would earn him the good will of all of the South Goa people who would be in deep trouble after the Mopa airport is thrown open for civil air traffic!
This is why the stupid goan government do all for them self & they don't look for the goan poor people. As what Is the use of mopa to goan?? Wht we will do people from south & specially from canacona ??? Why the govt take navy to mopa & help dabolim airport to extend & help for all goan for good future..