Navelim farmers demand scrapping of land acquisition
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, JAN 24
Navelim farmers under the banner of Salpem Tollem Xetkaramcho Ekvott called on the deputy Collector, Land Acquisition and demanded scrapping of the acquisition of land admeasuring three lakh square meters.
When the farmers made their appearance before the Deputy Collector, Agnelo Fernandes, they informed that they have approached the high court against the government decision to acquire their agricultural fields.
These farmers have been agitating against the forceful acquisition of their fields comprising of the Salpem Tollem for expansion of the sewerage treatment plant and a buffer zone around the plant.
A large number of the affected farmers and others assembled outside the Collectorate building with placards and banners opposing the acquisition of agricultural fields by the government.
They warned the government not to play with the sentiments of the farmers and blamed the government for not protecting their interest and for destroying agriculture.
The farmers pointed out to the Land Acquisition officer that the government is bulldozing with the land acquisition when the huge land is not required for the purpose.
Jose Paul Coutinho said the farmers were forced to knock the doors of the high court as the government was hell bent on acquiring the fields under the pretext of providing a buffer zone. “The government has destroyed the fields by not putting in place a system to check rampant discharge of sewage from Margao into the once picturesque Salpem lake. And, instead of cleaning up the lake, the government has come out with this idea of acquiring the fields for the purpose of the sewerage treatment plant”, he said, adding and warned the political class that they people will never give up their ancestral agricultural land for the purpose.
Another farmers pointed out that the fields were once cultivate for growing onions, chillies, vegetables etc before sewerage from neighbouring Margao devastated the lush green fields with sewage. “Farmers have been forced to give up cultivation because of sewage. They were infected with skin diseases after sewage found its way in the lush green fields”, he added.
Deputy Collector Agnelo Fernandes later told newsmen that since the farmers have approached the high court, he has kept the inquiry pending, though his has not yet received any notice from the court till date.
