MARGAO: Curtorim locals on Wednesday demanded that the government immediately scrap the India Reserve Battalion (IRB) barracks plan in the village failing which they have threatened to launch an agitation.
Despite opposition, the villagers were irked over the trimming of bushes at the site.
The locals on Wednesday noticed cutting of trees and bushes being trimmed at the site, which earlier housed a leprosy hospital. On receiving information about the activity, Curtorim sarpanch Milagres Rodrigues, former Zilla Panchayat member Moreno Rebello, former panch Simon Barretto, and others rushed to the site.
It may be recalled that few days ago, some officials conducted a survey of the land. At present, the land has been abandoned.
The locals, besides the elected representatives of Curtorim alleged that the government is pushing the IRB barracks project, despite opposition. People have demanded that the project be scrapped immediately. Recently, Curtorim locals and those from adjoining villages had vowed to oppose the project tooth and nail.
A villager demanded that the land admeasuring over a lakh square metres be utilised for health projects, which benefit the villagers.
Former panch Simon Barreto said they have already opposed the IRB project, and despite opposition, activities are noticed from the government authorities, which is unfair.
“Why are health-related projects not being set up here? The government can use this land for DNA testing laboratories or any other health project “, he said.
He said none of the officials from the health centre/health department were seen at the site on Wednesday, as the land belongs to the department. Unknown persons have trimmed the bushes. “We noticed a police van at the site”, said Simon.
Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco has already extended his support to the villagers by opposing the IRB project.
It is pertinent to note that decades ago the leprosy hospital land was donated by a Goan family.
