PANAJI: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) member Natividade De Sa, who has been crusading for long seeking permission for biannual visits in February and October, to the Church of Our Lady of Brotas at Anjedive island, presented a renewed request to Union Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik seeking limited access on two days in a year.
Natividade was accompanied by AAP State convenor Elvis Gomes. Natividade informed that the Minister was requested to allow a small batch of up to 10 persons under naval police escort to offer prayers and light candles on February 2 and October 4 every year.
He said that the civilians from Canacona have been pilgrims at the church for long and were denied access since the Goa government handed over the Islands to the Indian Navy without ensuring access on the feast days.
“In this new era when access to military establishments is often allowed to civilians such as during navy week, the navy should consider a small group of pilgrims who can be subjected to police clearance before being allowed, if required even under escort. These pilgrims have started to believe that visit to the church is required to pray for the many patients suffering from kidney related ailments in Canacona taluka.
Natividade said that the minister assured him that he will once again take up the matter with the Indian Navy.