Faleiro recounts letter written to Collector in 2017 to stop work in Davorlim

Davorlim: The Navelim MLA and former Chief Minister Luizinho Faleiro, who happened to have moved the district administration way back in 2017 on the issue of land acquisition for farmers, met the agitating protestors of Goencho Ekvott at the Navelim panchayat and responded to their questions, on his role in preventing the land of local farmers being taken away.

Speaking to Herald, Faleiro said, “I was speaking to the Parish Priest when I heard that there were people at the panchayat. They were in conversation with the Deputy Sarpanch. The people and activists wanted to know what my role as an MLA was in protecting the land of the farmers. I told them that way back in 2017, when the farmers first expressed apprehensions, I wrote to the Collector and asked him to stop work unless there is clarity on the issue”

 Have people given their consent. And if yes, have they been paid?

The entire discussion revolved around these two questions. After Faleiro told villagers that some farmers had already given their consent and taken compensation, locals challenged this. Confusion and confrontation prevailed. 

The people stated that the Railways have not acquired the land and are doing the work without possession of the land. 

Speaking to Herald, Faleiro said, “Today, when the group of people wanted to know if land was really acquired and compensation given to the farmers, I went with the people to the railway track and spoke to the Railway police officials. They said that they did not have the information and promised to get back tomorrow with documents and information. And I’ve called them tomorrow (Tuesday) with documents. I have also asked the police to ensure that the work is stopped till tomorrow, till the documents are inspected.”

 Faleiro was also asked why he wasn’t present at the protests, which were held earlier at the tracks by the people. He was also asked what he intended doing about getting the FIRs, filed against the people and protestors at Chandor and Davorlim, quashed. 

Faleiro stated, “I have written to the Chief Minister, the DGP and also the Governor of Goa to remove the non-Goan armed police from the protest sites and railway lines. I have also asked for the cancellation of FIRs against the protestors.”

A meeting with the Railway officials has been called on Tuesday to check on the documents that the railways have, pertaining to the land used for laying the second track.