Residents of Bhatwadi Van in Bicholim have demanded installation of street lights to relieve them of the fear of a possible attack from wild animals.
It may be recalled that Bhatwadi is a small area in Van-Maulinguem-Kudchirem panchayat having about 15 houses. Since the time they have settled in this area they have been deprived of the street lights.
“We have been living here since many years but in spite of demanding for lights the authorities have ignored us,” said Arun Bhide.
“We have approached the Panch, Sarpanch and even the MLA but nothing fruitful has taken place and we are forced to travel without light at night,” Arun explained.
If a person has to go to this area he should carry a torch along without which the houses are inaccessible. “Also there is always danger of wild animals attacking us taking the advantage of darkness,” Arun added.
People have spotted leopards and other wild animals in the village and some years back a leopard had also entered the house of Bhide in the broad daylight.
“With no telephone range villagers cannot contact their family in case they are late,” said Shrikant Jambhle.
The situation is so bad that some villagers have now installed bulbs outside their homes to have some light on the streets.
“I work in Panjim and by the time I reach Van it is already late and if the battery of our cell phone is low we do not have any torch and have to come home in darkness,” says Anjali Bhide.
