In a powerful show of unity, over 30 comunidades from across Goa have vowed to legally challenge any attempt by the government to regularise illegal constructions on comunidade land. The week-long ‘Save Communidade, Save Goa’ campaign, which began in Panjim and passed through villages including Verna, Nagoa and others, culminated in a significant meeting at the Casa de Chinchinim Comunidade, on Monday.
The campaign was spearheaded by the comunidades of Divar and Santo Estevão and saw participation from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs Cruz Silva (Velim) and Venzy Viegas (Benaulim), who are also stakeholders in their respective comunidades. Silva is a shareholder of the Comunidade of Chinchinim, while Viegas is the President of the Comunidade of Carambolim.
It was pointed out that both MLAs had taken part by virtue of being stakeholders and not as politicians, and they assured that they would be the voice of the people and convey their sentiments to oppose the bill in the upcoming assembly session. The MLAs said they would voice the concern of the comunidades in the Assembly to oppose the regularisation of illegal constructions in comunidade land.
During the meeting, there was a consensus that the comunidades should have a team of legal advisers and lawyers to guide them and represent their interests in court. The gathering decided that No Objection Certificates (NOCs) should not be granted by managing committees to facilitate encroachers or support tenancy rights without due process.
The attorney of the Comunidade of Loutolim lamented that several cases against encroachers have remained pending for years with no action taken, which is deeply frustrating. The attorney of the Provincia de Balli noted that mamlatdars are accepting tenancy rights applications based merely on a single application and a personal photograph.
It was resolved that each comunidade will submit a resolution collectively to the Governor, urging that the legislation to legalise illegal structures on comunidade land should not be approved. The comunidade members pledged to take the legal battle to preserve their lands all the way to the Supreme Court, if necessary.
The meeting underscored that comunidades are heritage institutions formed by native villagers, originally known as Gaunkaris, which have existed for over two millennia. This unique system, found only in Goa, manages large tracts of community-owned land that are increasingly falling prey to illegal encroachments and constructions.
Participants also highlighted the suo motu decision of the High Court to take cognizance of illegal structures on comunidade land, as well as various Supreme Court judgments that have struck down illegal constructions. These judicial actions were appreciated for upholding the sanctity of community land and for helping preserve it for future generations.
At the conclusion of the meeting, all participants stood and held hands in a symbolic gesture of their strong determination to pursue their demands.
Meanwhile, the Goa Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI) Union has raised concerns about the legitimacy of unregistered comunidade groups making representations to authorities, calling for verification of their registration status before any suo motu actions are entertained.
In a letter to the Administrator of South Goa Comunidade, J Santano Rodrigues, Union Convenor, requested that the office refrain from entertaining suo motu actions based on representations made by certain comunidade groups that are not registered under the Societies Act, 1860.
Rodrigues argued that any society or organisation claiming to represent a particular community should be registered under the Act to be considered a legitimate entity. Rodrigues pointed out that entertaining suo motu actions based on claims made by unregistered groups may lead to unauthorised decisions that could affect the rights and interests of legitimate comunidade members and stakeholders.