Team Herald
MARGAO: In a peaceful yet resolute demonstration of resistance, farmers from Loutolim on Friday successfully prevented Public Works Department (PWD) officials from conducting land demarcation on their fields in connection with the proposed new Borim bridge construction, citing an ongoing National Green Tribunal (NGT) case and the absence of proper notices.
The officials ultimately withdrew, agreeing to return on a later date, while the farmers maintained their commitment to opposing any land acquisition or bridge demarcation efforts.
“We got the news in the morning that the PWD had arrived at the site to do its marking and also to take details of the numbers of trees that would be cut for the project. They said they had come as a representative from the Mumbai-based consultant for the project wanted to see the site. We however spoke to the PWD and this consultant and first pointed out that we had received no notices about this demarcation exercise,” said a local farmer.
“We also informed them that these are privately-owned lands as on date. While leaving, they said they would inform us in advance before coming the next time. However, we will continue to oppose this demarcation and are united on this front,” the farmer added.
Other farmers added that they also informed the officials that the NGT case is still ongoing while also expressing displeasure at the manner in which the land acquisition proceedings were carried out, which they said was clearly in favour of the government and not the locals. They added that they will soon file their petition against the project in the High Court. It may be recalled that Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira had recently stated that if the NGT issues a verdict asking for the project to be halted, then the government would respect the judgement of the green tribunal.