Team Herald
BICHOLIM: Farmers Sangharsh Samiti, which includes farmers from Bardez, Pernem and Bicholim, has demanded the immediate resignation of Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant on the Melauli issue.
Addressing media persons at Sanquelim, president of Shree Bodgeshwar Shetkari Sangh Sanjay Barde denounced the act of the Chief Minister and accused the government of failing on the issue.
“Government should think about people first and not the IIT. They are acquiring too much of land and there is no clarity on how much land they would acquire,” Barde said.
“The Chief Minister says that he will not go to Melauli for discussion. He should remember that they are people’s representatives. If he cannot go to Melauli, he should resign from the post,” Barde demanded.
He said, “In other parts of Goa there is vast land and the project could be shifted there. They can set up IIT in other parts of the taluka and should not go against the wishes of the people.”
He accused the Chief Minister of acting like a dictator.
A farmer Deepesh Naik said, “As per the law one should be made the owner of the land if he is cultivating the same for a long time. The government cannot take the villagers’ land as they are from SC and ST communities. The villagers should approach the National SC Forum to fight for their rights”.
The farmers said they would convene another special meeting in Sanquelim soon in support of Melauli villagers.
