Panaji | Locals block naval attempt to hoist national flag on Sao Jacinto Island in South Goa. Following this, the Navy stopped hoisting the national flag. Following this, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant requested the Navy to go ahead with the flag hoisting program.
The Chief Minister warned the islanders that anti-India activities would be suppressed. At the same time, the islanders said they were not opposed to raising the flag. The islanders said they were skeptical that this would be the beginning of the central government’s attempt to take over the island under the Major Ports Authority Bill 2020.
The CM said the national flag would be hoisted on the island at any cost. He assured the Navy of the full cooperation of the Goa Police for the event. The event will be held between August 13 and 15 as part of the Ministry of Defense’s Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, where the national flag will be flown on all islands, the Navy said.
Sao Jacinto Island is located 4 km from the INS Hansa base near Dabolim. About 100 families live here. Anthony Rodriguez, the owner of the land where the Navy flag-raising ceremony will take place, also gave permission for the event. Locals fear that the navy may seize the island in the future.
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