Team Herald
MARGAO: Upset that they were not informed about the demarcation of land for the kabrastan at Sonsoddo, villagers from Raia and Borda claimed that the land was acquired by the Margao Municipal Council for the burial of people from all communities, and not specifically for a kabrastan.
In addition, no road access has been shown for the acquired land, as the properties surrounding the plot is not owned by the Municipality. On Friday, villagers from Borda and Raia gathered in large numbers at the site, and a heavy police force was called in to control the law-and-order problem.
Fr Januario da Costa, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Snows Church Raia, Fr. Ronny Mascarenhas, Assistant Parish Priest, Raia Sarpanch Judas Quadros, Anthony Barbosa, along with members of both the Raia and Borda fabrica committees, along with the villagers gathered at the site to oppose the land demarcation process.
“The land at Sonsoddo was acquired by the MMC as a burial ground for all three communities by passing a resolution in 2010. During land acquisition, the notification issued in 2011 was for a burial ground and not specifically for a kabrastan,” said social activist and Raia panch member Xavier Fernanes.
“The ownership of one of the boundary properties lies with the fabrica of Raia Church and as per procedure, the authorities have to serve notices to the owners of the neighbouring properties, which they failed to do,”added Xavier. People said they are not opposed to the kabrastan, but the authorities need to follow due process.
“Why was there no intimation for owners of the neighbouring properties? Has the property owned by the Fabrica of Raia Church been acquired for the road for the said acquired land?” questioned Basilio Fernandes, parishioner of Raia.
Despite backlash, GSUDA consultants complete land demarcation for kabrastan
MARGAO: A team from Rahul Deshpande and Associates, the consultant appointed by the GSUDA completed the demarcation of the acquired land for the kabrastan at Sonsoddo after the protesters from Raia and Borda left the site. The villagers who had gathered to oppose the process wondered how the team of the said consultancy managed to reach the hilly area of the acquired land, which had no access path other than through the surrounding land that belongs to the fabrica of Raia Church and Borda Chapel trust.
