TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
MARGAO: Will the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh have its way with the backing of state machinery in holding its three-day shibir in the GGUDA acquired agricultural fields at Rawanfond-Navelim, opposite the Margao railway station. Or, will the farmers cultivating the fields succeed in thwarting the proposed shibir in their fields as they pin their hopes on local MLA and Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado?
As Avertano has promised to take up the row with Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to arrive at an amicable solution, a host of questions have come to the fore as the RSS has obtained permissions from the administration to hold the three-day convention of Swayamsevaks from South Goa in the fields.
Farmers – who had launched a sustained battle against the previous Kamat-led Congress government to protect their fields from being utilised for the rehabilitation of migrants – have raised serious reservations about granting their fields for a convention.
Incidentally, the Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA) has lodged a complaint with the police stating that miscreants have encroached and excavated its acquired land in question. Farmers, on the other hand, claimed that they have not excavated the land, but have only carried out ploughing operation for a second crop.
Matters came to a head when the Margao police called an activist from Navelim Joseph L Vaz, who had taken up cudgels for the farmers in their battle to protect their fields, to report to the police station on Thursday evening.
The police action triggered a furor with farmers and activists demanding to know the police intention, questioning the logic behind calling a citizen to the police station without any call letter.
Taking no chances, the farmers along with Joseph Vaz called on Avertano Furtado on Friday morning and briefed him about the emerging development. The Navelim MLA has promised the farmers that he would take up the matter with Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to work out an amicable solution.
Incidentally, RSS leader Kiran Nayak told Herald at the Margao police station on Saturday morning that they have nothing against the farmers cultivating the fields at Rawanfond. “We planned a shibir in the fields after they found that the land is best suited for the shibir and being told that GSUDA has acquired the land. In fact, GSUDA has already granted us the permission to hold the three day shibir from December 23-35. But, no sooner we were granted the permission, we found the land excavated by some persons. Since we have got the GSUDA permission, we will go ahead with the shibir at the venue as planned,” he said.
On the other hand, activist Joseph Vaz maintained that the farmers have not done any excavation, but have only ploughed ahead of cultivation for a second crop. “The farmers have been cultivating the fields spanning decades. Even the chief minister, who inspected the fields during his visit to Navelim, had told the farmers to use the fields only for agriculture despite GSUDA forcibly acquiring the fields. We are not against any shibir, but the farmers believe that agricultural land should not be used for purposes other than agriculture,” Joseph said.
Margao police station in-charge, PI Sudesh Naik informed that the police would act as per the complaint lodged by GSUDA. “GSUDA has claimed that the land in question was acquired by the Agency in 2006. They have also complained of encroachment by miscreants, who have excavated the land. GSUDA has already given the RSS permission to hold the shibir,” he said, adding that the police would go as per the law.
