SANGUEM: The farmers, who would be affected by the proposed IIT campus at Cotarli in Sanguem, had a litany at Holy Cross at Kharkhatiaghati in Sanguem on Sunday.
The service was conducted to pray for better sense to prevail among the people and politicians, particularly political leaders from Sanguem, who are trying to “force” the IIT project on the lush green surroundings in Cotarli.
After the litany, the farmers expressed deep anguish that the local MLA Prasad Gaonkar was “misguiding” the government on the prevailing agricultural scenario in the village and for attempting to divide the farmers opposing the project in the village.
On the occasion, Maria Cruz highlighted the days she spent in the paddy fields at Cottarli and how she along with her parents and other family members toiled hard in developing the area for cultivation of paddy fields.
Cruz sought to know from the government why it is pushing the project on the agriculturists in Sanguem when they are opposing it tooth and nail.
Cruz also lambasted local MLA Pleased Gaonkar for giving an “altogether different” picture of Cotarli village despite vast area in the village is under agricultural plantation.
Cruz recalled how they strived hard to preserve the flora and fauna in the village all these years despite attempts by people to change the biodiversity in the village on several occasions.
Cruz along with others pledged to oppose the project till the end and warned the government and the local MLA against going ahead with the project in the serene green surroundings.
Appealing to the local MLA not to give “wrong inputs” to the government, Constancio Mascarenhas urged the government not to take the people for granted.
As of now, a large number of villagers are still cultivating their fields in the area; they denied the statement made by Ssnguem MLA that most of the paddy fields are lying barren.
Babuso Chari and Jack Luis also spoke on the occasion opposing the commissioning of the project in the village.
Santan Fernandes thanked the farmers for attending the litany in large number.
