MARGAO: The protest against the proposed Borim Bridge and bypass project is gaining momentum each passing day with the villagers and farmers from Loutolim now firmly asserting that the ancestral agricultural land they cultivate belongs to them and the future generation, and is not government property.
Voicing this strong sentiment, numerous farmers and villagers gathered at the site on Saturday, wherein they remained resolute in their stance and warned the authorities that they will go to any extent to protect their ancestral land against government encroachment
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The farmers challenged Agriculture Minister Ravi Naik and other MLAs to resign and support their cause if they genuinely care about the farmers.
Domingo Costa, a farmer and nonagenarian, emphasised, “This agricultural land is of our ancestors and we are earning our livelihood by cultivating it. We plead to the government not to take away our land.”
He recounted that his family has been cultivating these fields since his childhood.
Loutolim’s present panch member Joana Fernandes highlighted that hundreds of people fully depend on agriculture for their livelihood. The villagers want the government to halt the land acquisition proceedings related to the proposed new Borim Bridge and bypass project.
Lino Fernandes, another farmer, stated that the government has persisted with the land acquisition process despite multiple meetings with officials and the local MLA Aleixo Sequeira, wherein it was acknowledged that the project would devastate agricultural land.
“Despite assurances, the government failed to address the issue and has instead continued with the land acquisition process. Our objections have been rejected without citing any reasons,” he said.
Damaciano D’Cruz and Leandro Vas questioned the purpose of the agriculture portfolio if the same does not protect farmers and their land.
“What is the use of an agriculture portfolio? Is it to benefit the minister or to protect the farmers and agriculture?” Vas questioned.
He stressed that the government needs to wake up, as many Goans are jobless, and the loss of agricultural land would further devastate livelihood.
He criticised the government for initiating schemes that fail to protect farmers and their land. The farmers also questioned the double standards, noting that while construction of houses on agricultural land is restricted by law, building bridges on the same land is allowed.
Echoing the objections raised by several villagers, Lucina Fernandes said, “I have taken up the mantle of farming activities following my father’s death. This land is not government property but belongs to my children and future generation.”
Stating that the project is forced upon the people, she said, “The community remains resolute in their stance, vowing to protect their ancestral land against government encroachment.”
