Team Herald
PERNEM: Hundreds of locals of Tulaskarwadi, Mopa observed a one day hunger strike demanding with the government to return the excess land acquired for the construction of national highway leading to the Mopa Airport.
The locals were backed by Rashtriya Kissan Morcha, Mopa Vimantal Sangharsh samiti, Pernem Taluka Nagrik Samiti, Pernem Kul Mundkar Samiti, Shiv Sena women’s wing and Pernem Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party leader Praveen Arlekar.
The protesters opposed the government’s decision to acquire more land for the construction of national highway leading to the Mopa Airport and threatened to block the roads if it fails to provide justice to them.
The locals informed that recently the Central government has approved the road from Sukekolan-Dhargal to Mopa Airport as national highway. However, last week, the officials visited a hilly forest area in Tulaskarwadi to acquire the additional land for the highway construction.
The locals said that when they enquired about their visit, the officials showed them a letter issued in 2018 regarding acquisition of land.
“Without taking the people into confidence the land is acquired. It’s a forest land having fruit bearing trees. Trees are felled without informing the local residents nor any compensation provided. Several times the locals have gathered and stopped them. There is no point in writing to the panchayat, since the panchayat is involved in this,” a protester said.
“The officers are conducting surveys every now and then without informing the local residents. When questioned whether the land is already acquired, the officers are not giving a clear answer. If the government fails to provide justice then a large scale protests will be held wherein people of whole Pernem Taluka will protest,” said another protester.
“We also demand with the government to return the excess land which is acquired for the Mopa Airport. Forest land is acquired for this project which has directly affected the livelihood of the people. For last three years, the people are suffering and none of the concerned authorities have bothered to consider our plight,” another protester claimed.
