Team Herald
PANJIM: Prof Anthony Rodrigues, who has filed an intervention seeking land for a common burial ground at Sonsoddo, has expressed his displeasure over the government decision to allot land only for a Kabrastan.
Prof Rodrigues said that after acquiring the land for a particular purpose in May 2011, the Margao Municipal Council passed a fraudulent resolution on June 12, 2011 that the land acquired shall be utilised for Kabrastan for Muslim community only. He said that the municipality had earlier stated that 1000 square metres of land at Sonsoddo will be allotted for common burial ground.
According to Prof Rodrigues, the Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA) has submitted before the High Court of Bombay at Goa that the consultant appointed by the Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA) has identified and demarcated 2500 square metres of land to construct/develop kabrastan.
Prof Rodrigues alleged that the authorities had committed injustice even after informing the Goa Human Rights Commission (GHRC) that some portion of land would be reserved for some other community. He said of the remaining 1500 square metres of land at Sonsoddo could have been given as a common burial ground, which includes all communities.
During the last hearing on January 30, the High Court passed an order stating that the grievances of the two interveners concerned, will be taken up for consideration at the time stage of final hearing if the public interest litigation (PIL) writ petition, together with other pending issues.
