CUNCOLIM: The Cuncolim Kaita land controversy cropped up again on Thursday when Cuncolim Municipal Council (CMC) tried to conduct a study of the land by removing the fencing put up by farmer Vishnu Dessai.
The council was clearing the cut trees and levelling the land with the use of heavy machinery, when Dessai who was cultivating the land along with his family members came and tried to stop the council. The Dessai family approached local MLA Rajan Naik to get back their land for cultivation. Naik agreed and stopped MMC from removing Dessai’s encroachment. Naik told the council officer to stop the work and asked Dessai to cultivate the land.
CMC, with the help of police force and Salcete Mamlatdar, wanted to remove the encroachment done by Dessai, who formerly owned the land situated opposite the KTC bus stand.
“I warn the council and MLA of an indefinite hunger strike along with my family if I am not allowed to cultivate the land,” said Dessai.
CMC Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes along with the other officers and the Salcete mamlatdar were present at the spot to clear the encroachments by Dessai.
Part of the land is required for road widening and PWD has sought about 10 meters width for this purpose. PWD has also sent a show cause notice to Dessai to clear the encroachments.
Some Cuncolkars said they will go to court against Naik’s act. A councillor said the MLA has no right to intervene in council land and matters.
Cuncolkars are also demanding early completion of the road widening and the MLA had promised the locals he will get it done. “The question is, how will the work begin if Dessai cultivates that land?” asked a councillor.
PWD has written to the CMC to hand over part of the land for road widening. CMC had acquired 900 square metres of agricultural land in 2006 for construction of a commercial project. Recently the council had cleared the fencing and cut about 50 coconut trees from this land, when Dessai again encroached on the land.
Commercial project intended?
Farmer Vishnu Dessai had recently lost the case in the Supreme Court and had also gone on an indefinite hunger strike to get back his land. Dessai had started cultivation work on the council land which led to the CMC move to take back the land from his custody.
CMC intends to build a commercial project on the land which was acquired by the council long back. The land is in the name of CMC as it was acquired in 2006.
