Goa activists demand removal of minister over land conversions

Hundreds of activists gathered in Panaji, Goa, on Thursday to call for the removal of minister Vishwajit Rane. They accused him of overseeing the conversion of nearly 25 lakh square meters of land from 2023 to 2025 under the town and country planning (TCP) act. The protesters aimed to march to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant's official residence but were stopped by police. After two hours of protesting, leaders Swapnesh Sherlekar and Claude Alvares were taken to the chief minister's home, only to find that he was not there. Alvares stated, "This man (Rane) is not fit to remain a cabinet minister." He added that they would follow up with legal actions, including involving the Prime Minister. The organizers collected around 700 signatures to support their demand for Rane’s sacking. Around 300 people from various backgrounds joined the protest, and some political parties supported the event, though Congress MLAs were absent. Sherlekar criticized Rane for approving a resort within the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, which he described as crucial for wildlife. Additionally, Sherlekar claimed that Rane ignored a high court's order about forest rights in national parks despite receiving an extension. He believes Rane's actions have harmed Goa's ecological heritage and have raised doubts about the credibility of the ruling BJP government. The protesters argued that Rane's role in the cabinet is now "untenable" and labeled him a "liability" for the state.