Team Herald
assagao: Expressing their strong opposition to the illegal erection of cement poles on comunidade property, which they allege is an attempt to usurp the land, the residents of Assagao gathered in large numbers on Tuesday to protest the activity, asserting that the destruction of village land will not be tolerated.
Tension prevailed in the morning during the panchayat inspection of illegal fencing on Comunidade land. Prompted by a complaint from vigilant locals, the Comunidade informed the panchayat, which led to Tuesday’s inspection of Survey No. 101/1 of Assagao Comunidade land.
Sarpanch Hanumant Naik, Attorney of Assagao Comunidade Nelson Fernandes, Treasurer Ian D’Souza, Chairman of Assagao BMC Sayanora Quadros, and several social activists and Congress leaders were present, including Rajan Ghate, Chandan Mandrekar, and Parvati Nagvekar. Nelson Fernandes named Sudesh Parsekar as the main culprit behind the illegal fencing of approximately one lakh square metres.
Fernandes said that the case is pending with the SIT, and although an arrest warrant was issued against Parsekar, he obtained a stay. The Comunidade plans to challenge this stay to ensure his arrest.
During the last assembly session, Aldona MLA Adv Carlos Alvares Ferreira raised concerns about a “correction attempt” to declassify this 2.2 lakh square metres of land from private forest to settlement. Chairman of Assagao BMC Sayanora Quadros quickly opposed this move to prevent the land’s degradation.
Speaking to the media, Fernandes stated that Parsekar, accused of fraudulently grabbing this large portion of Assagao Comunidade land, has the support of powerful figures within the ruling party.
He affirmed that the Comunidade, panchayat, and locals will resist any attempts by such fraudsters to seize the land for vote banks and to bring in Delhi residents for profit.
Ghate questioned the delay in the Chief Minister’s examination of the issue, despite assurances given to Adv Ferreira in the Assembly.
He added, “It appears that the ruling party is disregarding Goans, as promises made in the August house are not honoured. This demonstrates the ruling dispensation’s lack of respect for the Assembly.”
Fernandes suspects that Parsekar, with political backing, is working to grab the land to eventually sell it to a Delhi party. He noted that various departments, including TCP and revenue, are being approached for approvals, but the Comunidade is determined to thwart these attempts.
He warned of a mass protest if these activities persist. A strong police presence was in place to prevent any disturbances.
Fernandes emphasised that the entire 2.2 lakh square metres of land is at risk of fraudulent seizure with political support. He feared that if this occurs, the village will be devastated as a significant portion of the green cover, currently designated as a private forest, will be lost, which is unacceptable.