Chicalim opposes offshore casinos relocation

They took an oath on Sunday that under no circumstances will they allow offshore casinos at Chicalim bay, and that their protests would continue if the government makes any move to do so.

Though on Sunday people opposed casinos at Chicalim, chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar who was at New Vaddem distributing LED bulbs told media that "there is no such move to shift casinos to River Zuari."

"The government has to respect our feelings and if it thinks of shifting casinos here, they will have to face us," CAC secretary Rui Araujo said. Deputy sarpanch of Chicalim Francisco Nunes alias Shikit considered that "just because some people are facing problems in Panaji they can't dump the casinos on us and keep making money at the cost of our well-being. "

Meanwhile, Bailancho Ekvott president Auda Veigas said, "We support the villagers not only at Chicalim bay but we say that we don't want casinos in Goa."

Goa Bachao Abhiyan president Sabina Martins affirmed "casinos call for women exploitation." "It only produces addictions like prostitution, alcoholism, gambling" he assured adding "politicians think about the party's welfare more than their voters'."

"It is an evil and getting it here means inviting trouble. Such pollution and corruption is not needed. Let the government tackle their problems but not think of dumping casinos here," Fr Michael Fernandes of the Aam Aadmi Party said.