MAPUSA: Two families affected by the Mopa airport project have threatened to go on hunger strike if their houses, demolished on November 3, on the orders of North Goa Collector Nila Mohanan, are not reconstructed.
“Our houses were legal. Our houses were constructed in 2007 that is before the land acquisition for Mopa airport. The government acquired the land only in the year 2012. If our houses were constructed before the land acquisition, then, how can the MLA claim that our houses are illegal? Asked Narayan Salgaonkar, whose house was demolished on November 3.
“Our houses were demolished along with our belongings. Since past 10 days, we are cooking and sleeping outside in the open. Since this is a jungle area, there is danger of wild animals coming and attacking us. We have small kids and women who are forced to sleep outside in open. Where are we supposed to go? Salgaonkar questioned.
The other affected person Suresh Talkatkar said, “We are completely dependent on agriculture for our living. We have coconut and cashew plantations on which we depend on. Now our houses are demolished and in some days the forest will be cleared; if this happens, then, where are we supposed to go? We want the government to reconstruct our houses, otherwise, we will go on a hunger strike at Panjim. If the MLA of Pernem cannot give us our houses back, then, he should resign as an MLA.”
