In a distressing turn of events, Suresh Talkatkar, a farmer from Mopa, has officially filed a complaint at the Mopa Police station, accusing deliberate arson leading to the destruction of their cashew plantation. Despite persistent pleas from the affected farmers, the apparent inaction of the police has sparked concerns about justice within the agricultural community.
Three years ago, Suresh Talkatkar filed a complaint at the Mopa Police station, shedding light on the intentional destruction of their cashew plantation through arson. Shockingly, no legal actions have been initiated in response to this complaint. Talkatkar, accompanied by members of the Goa Kul Mundkar Sangharsh Samiti, emphasized the severity of the issue, revealing that the lands of these farmers have suffered due to the Mopa Airport Development, yet they have received no compensation.
When questioned about any compensation offered by the government for the Mopa Airport Development, Talkatkar explained, “Each family received 3.5 lakh from the High Court, but I turned it down because it is not enough for a 150 square meter home. People find themselves in predicaments where they have no choice but to take their own life. Nobody is acting upon this issue, not even Mamlatdar or the Police.”
Despite the gravity of the situation, the Mopa Police officials have yet to take decisive action. Suresh Talkatkar, alongside the Goa Kul Mundkar Sangharsh Samiti, urged DYSP Jivba Dalvi to ensure justice prevails for these distressed farmers.
Reacting to this situation, Social activist Sanjay Birde stated, “Suresh Talkatkar lodged a complaint with the Human Rights Commission against Mopa’s Principal Investigator for failing to respond to earlier complaints. He asked the PI to guarantee that his grievances were filed prior to January 16. There was arson at his cashew crop that very night. We find it suspicious that every year; just his farm is impacted by fire. We kindly request that DYSP Jivba Dalvi act on this situation right away.” The absence of legal recourse and the farmers’ ongoing struggle against land encroachment highlight the pressing need for prompt resolution.
