Protest held outside Goa minister's home over controversial TCP Act section; CM slams agitators

Several hundred persons protested on Monday in front of the private residence of Goa Minister Vishwajit Rane demanding the scrapping of a section of Town and Country Planning Act that enables the conversion of non-settlement zone into settlement zone, paving the way for construction activities. Opposition parties led by Revolutionary Goans Party MLA Viresh Borkar have been protesting at Azad Maidan here for last two days demanding scrapping of the controversial section 39A of TCP Act. Borkar, who is on an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan demanding immediate repeal of the section, had also sought suspension of police personnel who allegedly manhandled him and his supporters during the agitation. The agitators had given a deadline of 4 pm on Monday to the government to accept their demands. They began walking towards the private residence of TCP minister Rane after there was no response from the government. The protestors reached Dona Paula suburb, where Rane's house is located, after travelling for almost 5 kilometres on foot and continued their protests, an official said. Among those who took part in the stir were Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, MLAs Venzy Viegas, Carlos Ferreira, Revolutionary Goans Party chief Manoj Parab and Goa Pradesh Congress Committee vice president Sunil Kawthankar. Speaking on the issue, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said those taking part have the right to agitate but they should do it considering the limits of the agitation. ''They can give proper representation to the collector. No one has stopped them from talking but it is not right to take a morcha to the residence of the minister. They should discuss the issue at the appropriate forum,'' the CM said. Police are maintaining law and order, and the agitators should maintain decorum, Sawant asserted.