Sanguem’s Cotarli farmers get reinforcement in fight against land takeover for IIT

SANGUEM: The farmers from Sanguem who are on a sit-in since last over 20 days agitating against the proposed IIT project at Cotarli village got a shot in the arm as farmers associations from Quepem, Pernem and Mapusa joined the agitators and expressed their support to “drive out IIT” from the pristine farmlands of Cotarli Sanguem.

 Three different associations viz Shri Bogdeshwar Shetkari Sangh, Mapusa, Pernem Kul Mundkars Association, and All Goa Adivasi Sanghatna extended their support to the agitating farmers and exhorted the farmers not to fall prey to “government’s intimidating tactics”.

 The farmers from Mapusa Rupesh Naik, Adv John Fernandes of Adivasi Sanghatna Quepem and others while speaking at the sit-in demanded the government to spell out its intentions clearly.

 While speaking out against local MLA Subhash Phaldessai for his “dictatorial attitude” towards the farmers at Sanguem, the speakers challenged Phal Dessai to go ahead with the project on the farmlands of Cotarli village.

 “We want to know what benefits the Goans will get in exchange for sacrificing our fertile lands for the IIT project. Farmers have been reaping benefits from the crops grown on these lands for ages and will serve generations to come. The mere allocation of lands for projects like IIT does not indicate any rightful thinking as the project will hardly be of any benefit for the Goans,” said Rupesh Naik, a local farmer.

 Adv John Fernandes alleged that the government was misusing its power by imposing of Section 144 in and around Cotarli village.

 “The IIT is not a project which needs to be constructed at a specific location. It can be constructed anywhere. Why should it come up at Cotarli village where it can cause more harm to the farmers instead of doing any good? There are several vacant lands elsewhere in government possession, which could be easily utilised for the IIT project,” claimed Fernandes.

 All the speakers assured to rally behind the agitating farmers. The speakers challenged the government to go ahead with the laying of the foundation stone in six months.