Team Herald
PONDA: Casting doubts on the genuineness of the agitation against the alleged illegal hill cutting at Mangueshi, a large number of Cuncoliem villagers came out in support of the development of plots on Mangueshi hill, on Sunday.
Those supporting development of plots are reportedly living just opposite the alleged hill cutting. The villagers supporting the hill cutting have reportedly purchased plots on the hill, as such they have asked the panchayat and the locals not to stop the development work or damage the vehicles of the developer.
Addressing a press conference on Sunday, those supporting the development said that the panchayat had taken a resolution to widen the road (presently being widened by the developer) some years ago and had forwarded the same to the PWD.
“What is wrong if the road is widened by the developer, which the PWD has failed to do so far?” they questioned.
The villagers claimed that the project consists of 250 units, of which the locals have purchased 50 plots.
The Cuncoliem villagers maintained that if anyone wants to stop the development of plots and widening of the road, they should follow proper procedure for the same.
The Cuncoliem villagers also warned those opposing the project against taking law into their own hands.
The press was addressed by Gamini Kuncoiliekar (former panch), Sanjay Naik, Prasad Zalmi and Ashok Gavde. Ashok Gavde said that he is the caretaker of the land that is being developed and that he would gave five plots of 100 square meters each to needy villagers free of cost.
Meanwhile, Veling-Priol-Cuncoliem Sarpanch Damodar Naik said that neither the Mangueshi locals nor the panchayat is opposing road widening work at Cuncoliem.
He said that last month the panchayat had a passed resolution and sent it to PWD for widening of Cuncoliem road.
According to Naik the fault of the developer is that he is widening the road only upto the point where he wants access to his plots.
Meanwhile, Sarpanch Naik said that, as planned, the Mangueshi villagers would go ahead with their agitation on October 22 at Ponda to oppose the alleged illegalities of the developer.
It is learnt that the developer has filed police complaints against 40 Mangueshi locals and panchas, accusing them of trespassing into his property and even approached the court to prevent their entry into the plots that are being developed.
