PONDA: In a blow to the zayo farmers of Mardol, Ponda, unidentified miscreants are suspected of intentionally setting fire to jasmine flower gardens. The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon, and the owners of the gardens rushed to the site to extinguish the flames. However, they did not inform the fire department as the gardens are located in a hilly region, making it difficult for fire trucks to access.
Meanwhile, a labourer in a nearby garage was beaten up, while a car was also damaged, which led to tension and confusion in the area.
The owners, including Uday Naik, Ramesh Naik, Talash Naik, Rajendra Naik, Vinayak Naik, Chadravati Naik, Kalidas Naik, Lata Naik, and Danny Naik, reported that this is not the first time such an incident has occurred. They suspect that migrant labourers working in the vicinity might be involved in these intentional acts of arson. The jasmine flowers from Mardol are well-known and are sold in markets across Goa.
Simultaneously, unidentified persons reportedly beat up a labourer named Vikas Kanojia working at a nearby garage. The victim was treated at Ponda Sub-District Hospital, and a car belonging to a panch member, parked in the garage, was also damaged.
The owners of the jasmine gardens claim to have complained to the local panchayat and Ponda police station about similar incidents in the past, but no action has been taken. The intentional burning of jasmine gardens is negatively impacting the longstanding tradition of offering jasmine flowers during the annual ‘Jaayanchi Puja’ at Mardol’s Mahalasa temple. The temple has been hosting this puja for over a century.
