Navy cancels I-Day flag hoisting on Goa island as locals object, CM calls it "anti-India activities"
Sawant said it is "unfortunate and shameful" that some people on the island were objecting to the hoisting of the flag and added that his government wouldn't tolerate such acts.
FollowPanaji: The Navy has said that it has cancelled its plan to unfurl the national flag on Sao Jacinto Island in South Goa on the Independence Day after local residents objected thereto, following which state Chief Minister Pramod Sawant requested the naval authorities to travel ahead with the tricolour hoisting programme and warned the islanders that "anti-India activities" would be dealt with an "iron fist".
Sawant said it is "unfortunate and shameful" that some people on the island were objecting to the hoisting of the flag and added that his government wouldn't tolerate such acts.
As a neighbourhood of 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav' to commemorate 75 years of Independence, the Ministry of Defence has planned unfurling of the ensign on islands across the state between August 13 and 15, officials have said.
A spokesperson of the Navy's INS Hansa base in Goa had said on Friday that a team from Goa Naval Area visited islands of Goa including Sao Jacinto Island as part of this pan-India initiative.
"However, the plan at Jacinto Island had to be cancelled because the same was objected to by the residents,” he said.
The island is found near Vasco town in South Goa district of the coastal state.
The naval official said that the nationwide 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav' initiative has been undertaken to instil a way of patriotism and celebrate the run up to the 75th year of Independence.
Reacting to the Navy's announcement of cancelling the flag-hoisting programme, CM Sawant said on Twitter late on Friday evening, "It is unfortunate and shameful that some individuals at St. Jacinto Island have objected to Hoisting of the National Flag by the Indian Navy on the occasion of India's Independence Day. I condemn this and want to state on record that my Government will not tolerate any such acts."
"I have requested the Indian Navy to go ahead with their original plan and have assured full cooperation from Goa Police. These attempts of Anti-India activities shall be dealt with an iron fist. It will always be Nation First," he added.
(With inputs from agency)
