PONDA, April 13 -- Team Herald

Accusing politicians of plotting to divide locals and push the national highway (NH) expansion for vested interests, Bhoma villagers sent out a clear message on Sunday: they are prepared to die to protect their village and its culture from destruction.

Residents of Corlim, who had earlier filed a joint petition in the High Court of Bombay at Goa against the NH expansion, came forward to extend their support to Bhoma locals.

Speaking at a meeting, Sanjay Naik said, "Fearing politicians, some people have not stepped out of their houses to attend. But we are ready to die and will shed our blood to save Bhoma."

He called the NH expansion and the Sagarmala project a conspiracy imposed on Bhoma and urged villa...