Goa, July 20 -- AUGUSTO RODRIGUES

Hun dreds of people from dif ferent communities across the State converged at the Chapel of Our Lady of Monte on Sunday to pro test against what they believe is an alarming attempt to permit con struction within the buffer zone of the UNESCO World Heritage precinct. The hilltop chapel, de clared a protected monu ment by the Directorate of Archives and Archaeology, overlooks the historic vil lage that houses the relics of St Francis Xavier. Protesters said the battle is about pre venting what could become a steady erosion of heritage laws in favour of private de velopment. As the people marched towards the chapel, the message from the demon strators was clear: "We will preserve our heritage at any cost." ...