It is sometimes a tad difficult to get hold the President or the Attorney of the Communidade. After a bit of door-to-door research, one learnt that the President Anthony Jaques originally from Cansaulim, lives in Nuvem. Herald found him at his home and he had an interesting story to narrate. According to him, it was just once that the Collectors office called the Attorney of the Communidade for a discussion on the issue of lands to be acquired for the double-tracking project. The Attorney, Mario Pereira met a representative of the Collector and Railway officials.

Speaking to Herald, Attorney Mario Pereira said “I clearly told the officials that the communidade has not decided on this. Since then the issue has not even been discussed”

Well, and here a parcel of 845 square meters of the communidade land ( 110/4) has been approved to be procured by the government.

Here you have it. This is the way the most ancient system of governance and supervision of land in the gaunkari system has been devalued.

But Jaques is firm, “We support the opposition to the project and we will not support it or give consent”, he said.

Attorney Mario Pereira seconds that “Where has our consent been taken? There is not a single piece of paper or letter given by us which even indicates that we are ready to give up this land”