Panaji, May 23:The Enough is Enough movement has called for a massive public gathering at Azad Maidan on May 30 at 3.30 pm marking Goa Statehood Day, demanding that the Government convene a special session of the Goa Legislative Assembly to discuss and pass the Goa Agricultural Land Protection Bill submitted by the movement to legislators.

The announcement was made during a press conference addressed by former Justice Ferdino Rebello, Adv. Norma Alvares and other members of the movement.

Addressing the media, the speakers clarified that the proposed Bill is not directed against any political party but seeks to correct legislations and policies allegedly brought with “personal interests” that are harming Goa’s land, environment and identity.

The movement appealed to all political parties to support its “10-Point Charter of Demands,” stating that even opposition leaders had attended recent EiE meetings and extended support to the larger cause of protecting Goa.

Former Justice Ferdino Rebello strongly criticised symbolic measures that fail to address the root issue of large-scale land destruction. “Declaring areas as No Development Zones (NDZ) when those areas are already barred from development is mere foolishness and such measures will not work,” he said.

The movement also alleged that core members Swapnesh Sherlekar and Sameer Govekar are being targeted for raising public issues and questioned how activists fighting for environmental protection, anti-corruption measures and people’s rights could be labelled “anti-national.”

“If the law says casinos should operate in the sea, then why are they functioning in the Mandovi River?” the speakers questioned while urging Goans to fight against corruption and environmental destruction.

EiE stated that Goa’s hills, fields and villages cannot be sacrificed in the name of unchecked development and warned that native Goans could soon become “migrants in their own land” if the ongoing trend of land conversions and mega projects continues.

The movement appealed to Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant to ensure that unnecessary police complaints and cases are not filed against activists and citizens participating in democratic movements.

The speakers warned that if the proposed Bill is not passed during the special Assembly session, the movement would decide its future course of action.

Calling upon the people of Goa to gather in large numbers on May 30, the movement stated: “Enough is Enough. The time has come to send a clear message to the Government that Goa and its identity must be protected at all costs.”