Goa Congress leader protesting heli-tourism arrested; released

Congress leader Agnelo Fernandes and ten others including local panchayat members were today arrested by Goa Police when they were marching towards a helipad at Aguada here protesting the launch of heli-tourism in the state.
Fernandes accompanied by members of local Candolim panchayat were demanding that the chopper be removed from the Aguada helipad after which they were picked up, police said.
Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) in collaboration with Pawan Hans has started helicopter rides from Panaji to Aguada across River Mandovi as a part of heli-tourism services launched in the state yesterday.
Several people including Fernandes had objected to the project claiming it would affect the locals.

"We have placed him (Fernandes) under preventive arrest as the group was walking towards the helicopter and tried to create a ruckus," a senior police official said.
They were taken to local Calangute police station and later let-off with a warning.
"We had gone there for site inspection along with Panchayat members. We told policemen present there that since no helipad exists at the place, the helicopter should be removed," Fernandes told PTI.
He said the agitation against heli-tourism will continue despite attempts by the government to suppress it.