Will Goa SEZ protestors spoil New Year party?

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India's most favoured tourist destination could be off limits to tourists - activists and political parties opposing commercial development in the state are asking tourists to get off the beaches or face a violent agitation. CNBC-TV18's Pramod Acharya, reports from  Panaji...

The party might end well before the New Year in Goa this time . Thousands of tourists who're here for the last happening event of the season have been given a December 28 deadline to leave the state by the anti-SEZ organisations.

Mathany Saldanha , Convenor, Goa's Movement Against SEZ , said, "We have asked tourists to leave the state before 28th as we don't want to harm them in any manner. They are our guests & agitation can take any turn. So we dont want to trouble them. Let them enjoy Christmas here & leave before New Year."

Opposition parties and NGOs, who have been spearheading the anti-SEZ movement for the last few weeks, say their agitation might take an ugly turn now. But police have filed a case against Saldhana for that statement. The government says it can handle the situation and is asking the tourists to enjoy their visit.

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat said his government is taking every step to ensure peaceful holidaying. "Anybody who tries to take law into his own hands will be dealt with firmly. Anyway, we have geared up our police machinery. We have also summoned three platoons of para-military forces. The government is reviewing the SEZ policy. we have already kept on hold eight SEZs which were put up for for approval from the central government," he added.

Mickey Pacheco, Tourism Minister, Goa, said, "As Tourism Minister of the state I am taking full responsibility that nothing will happen to the tourists coming into the state. Let them come & enjoy their trip."

Clearly, leaving Goa three days before the New Year blast is not something the tourists like. But even if they decide to stay back, the party might well be spoiled for many of those associated with the tourism industry.