Goa, Dec. 20 -- Tensions boiled over at Azad Maidan on Thursday as the police stopped activists, who had gathered at the historic site to pay homage to Goa's Liberation martyrs and to mourn the 25 people who lost their lives in the re cent fire tragedy at Birch by Romeo Lane in Arpora, triggering sharp criticism from civil society groups. Members of the Goa Bachao Abhiyan (GBA) said the gathering was intended solely to honour freedom fighters on Goa Liberation Day and to express solidar ity with families affected by the Arpora fire. The activ ists claimed they were de nied permission citing the Election Code of Conduct. GBA convenor Dr Sabi na Martins said the denial reflected a deeper erosion of democratic freedoms. "We came to pay homag...