Mopa: Hundreds of fruitbearing trees including cashew, mango and others have been bulldozed to clear the land for the Mopa link road.
The work of the Mopa link is on going full swing even though the affected farmers have raised strong objection against the project since they are losing their livelihood.
In this connection, the affected farmers have already approached the court seeking legal action to stop the work of the link road immediately. However the hearing in the case is being delayed due to several reasons, including interference of politicians, farmers claimed.
When farmers protested and asked the officials, including the Land Acquisition Officer to stop clearing the land, concerned officer allegedly asked the police to arrest the protestors.
Sandip Kambli, president of Mopa Vimantal Pidit Xetakari Samiti said, “When we asked the authorities to stop destroying the plantation, they asked us to get court order or legal documents stating the same. Till then the work will continue. We have already approached the court but we feel that the judiciary, government and the politicians are all involved since the matter is still pending for hearing. The names of the farmers are still existing on the Goa land record Form 1 and 14. What the government is doing is completely illegal,” Kambli said.
“This is a plot to grab our land. We request the court to issue stay order on this work immediately,” Kambli said
“They are destroying the whole plantation to clear the road. They don’t have any right to do so. The way the land is being cleared by destroying the plantation is not correct.
“On Friday the work started. Since then we have been asking them to stop work and give us time to get stay order. However none of the officials are ready to hear us. This is a complete harassment,” another farmer said.
