In a decisive move to safeguard their water resources, villagers of Assolna unanimously passed a resolution on Sunday evening authorising the local panchayat and farmers’ groups to address repeated sabotage of the sluice gate at Moddorachem Torem lake. The attacks on the gate have left farmers struggling for irrigation water for their rabi crops.
The resolution was adopted during a well-attended meeting organised by the Village Development Committee (VDC) of the Assolna panchayat at Dr Ram Manohar Lohia–Dr Juliao Menezes Chowk. The gathering saw participation from local residents, priests, and activists. The motion was proposed by Sunny Dias and seconded by Maurico Diniz, reflecting the collective determination of the community to protect this vital water source.
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According to the resolution, the panchayat and farmers’ group have been tasked with submitting demands and past correspondence regarding the issue to the Collector, Sub-Divisional Officer (DDP), and the Water Resources Department (WRD). Villagers expressed frustration that earlier complaints had gone unheeded, allowing the problem to persist.
The resolution further calls on the WRD to ensure that the sluice gate at Moddorachem Torem is closed during the first week of October every year and urges the government to provide adequate security to prevent tampering. It also demands strict legal action against individuals responsible for damaging the water system.
Residents highlighted that miscreants have been sabotaging the sluice gate for over a decade, draining stored water before it could be used for irrigation. “Despite repeated complaints, the problem continues,” the resolution notes.
The meeting is part of the ongoing Save Moddorachem Torem campaign, aimed at protecting the lake, which is a crucial source of irrigation and groundwater recharge for the region. Villagers stressed the importance of collective action to preserve this essential resource for agriculture and the local community.
