MARGAO: The contentious issue of the kabrastan project (Muslim burial ground) at Sonsoddo is once again in the news. On Friday, villagers from Raia and Borda demanded clarity on the boundary points of the acquired land.
On Saturday morning, a team from the land survey department, along with officials of Margao Municipal Council, arrived at the site to carry out the demarcation of the land. They faced a tough time when villagers and committee members of Our Lady of Snows Church, Raia, and St Joaquim Chapel, Borda, insisted on showing the boundary points.
Both groups made it clear that they would not allow officials from the Survey Department to enter the property for the demarcation of the land acquired for the burial ground. At the same time, people clarified that they are not opposed to the demarcation exercise or the project. However, as owners of neighbouring property, they were kept in the dark.
Taking into consideration the issues raised by people from both villages, a survey department team led by S Sawant started marking boundary points before the actual demarcation.
Speaking to reporters, William Barretto, Attorney of the Raia Church Febrica, made it clear that they would not allow the concerned officials to enter the Church property as nobody has taken any permission or informed them to access their property. “We are very clear from our side. Let the survey department first mark the boundary points. We are neither against the demarcation of the land acquired for the kabrastan, or the project itself. Our concern is to protect the Church property,” he stated.
Pascoal Noronha, a committee member of St Joachim Chapel, Borda, also said that they would not allow anyone to enter their property until the boundary points are made clear. “One thing all must keep in mind is that the land owned by Borda chapel, where the cemetery has been constructed, is not a part of the land acquired for the burial ground for all communities, including the kabrastan. Our land has a different survey number,” he said.
These sentiments were also echoed by local residents and parishioners of Raia Church, like Basilio Fernandes. Meanwhile, survey official Sawant said that they would first conduct the reference points of the land acquired for the burial ground, and the actual survey will commence in the coming days.
