CANACONA: The Canacona Taluka division of Gauda, Kunbi, Velip and Dhangar (GAKUVED) Federation in association with Melauli Bachao Samithi and other political parties held a candlelight meeting to protest against the high handedness of the State government and alleged inhumane treatment of police against the locals in the agitation against IIT project, at Shel-Melauli.
The Gomantak Gaud Maratha Samaj, Tribal Research Centre Goa, Aam Aadmi Party, Congress Party, Adivasi Sangh and key office bearers of Pahat, an organisation working for the tribals of Canacona Taluka lit candles in support of Melauli locals in their fight for shifting the IIT project from their village. Over 150 persons from various walks of life gathered to express their solidarity with the locals of Melauli at Canacona KTC bus stand, on Sunday evening.
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“The agitation in Sattari is not only against IIT project but the real agitation is related to land rights. The government has deleted the names of the farmers from Form I and XIV without their knowledge few years ago and included IIT as the owner. Until the farmers get their rights and names back on Form I and XIV, the movement will have to continue,” said Adv John Fernandes.
“The current situation is not only in Sattari Taluka but also in various rural areas of the State. Therefore, the general public needs to fully support this movement,” said Rupesh Velip, secretary of GAKUVED.
“The government has said that they are shifting the IIT project from Sattari but it has to be given in writing and also cancel the name of IIT on Form I and XIV,” said Uday Gaonkar.
Gaonkar also demanded to include the names of the people who used to cultivate the land in the traditional way on Form I and XIV.
“The BJP government has done nothing for the poor till date. This government is a U-turn government and cannot be trusted,” said Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sandesh Talekar.
“The BJP government is only promoting big companies in the name of development and when poor people raise their voice they get beaten up by the police,” said Talekar.
“This is a government that serves the interests of the big companies and when the people raise their voices to demand their rights, false cases are registered to harass the poor farmers,” expressed Canacona Congress Block President Pralay Bhagat.
