Team Herald
SANGUEM: The long arm of the law took less than 24 hours in an attempt to crush both protests and the protestors agitating against the takeover of cultivable and private and institutional land for the IIT in Sanguem.
They are not against the IIT coming to their area.
The police on Tuesday arrested one farmer and began charging the core group of agitators under various Sections of the IPC.
In what the protestors called police harassment and a travesty of democracy, the Sanguem police arrested farmer Joseph Fernandes based on a complaint filed by field surveyors.
Surveyors Saideep Gadkar and Tanuj Vaigankar alleged that Fernandes, along with others, obstructed them from undertaking survey operations on September 6. Fernandes was charged under Sections 186 (voluntarily obstructing a public servant) and 506(ii) (criminal intimidation) of the IPC.
Fernandes was later released on bail by the Judicial Magistrate First Class, Sanguem, on the condition that he reports to the Investigating Officer at the Sanguem Police Station for five days, and with a surety of Rs 10,000.
Clearly, the police have upped the ante. The police while objecting to the bail application urged the presence of the accused for custodial interrogation for five days which the Court refused based on arguments tendered by Adv Anand Gaonkar appearing for Fernandes.
Meanwhile, the police are also on the lookout for Philip Vaz, Maria Agusta Vaz, and Swizelle for offences under Sections 186 and 506(ii) of IPC. In the meantime, the police are also reportedly in the process of filing another complaint against the agitating farmers under sections 186, 341, 336, 504, and 506 (ii).
Earlier the police had restrained their act to filing 107 proceedings against a section of farmers before Deputy Collector to maintain peace and tranquillity.
On Tuesday, amidst frequent spells of rain, the farmers whose cultivated plantations are likely to be razed to make way for the IIT project continued with their agitation at the site, and questioned the placement of demarcation stones within their paddy fields, and outside the doors of the chapel and cemetery at Chinchant. “If these areas are not under acquisition, then why have the stones been placed within our plantations, chapel, and cemetery? Why is the government intent on grabbing our cultivated lands and allotting our pristine hill and sacred spring for the IIT project?” questioned a female farmer protesting at the spot.
The authorities maintained that the demarcation stones have been placed only for reference purposes, but the farmers have no clarity on the actual demarcation process or the borders of the land allotted.
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South DM imposes Section 144 of CrPC
MARGAO: South Goa District Magistrate Jyoti Kumar imposed Section 144 of CrPC prohibiting the assembly and gathering of five or more people within a perimeter of 200 m from the demarcated site of the proposed IIT Goa campus, which falls under Survey No 21/1 of Cotarli village in Sanguem taluka.
As per the order issued, gatherings of persons ‘who visit the site with the intention to disrupt or delay the process, survey and demarcation of the proposed IIT site’ are prohibited.
The order also prohibits the gathering of such persons for their agitation/meeting or any other obstructive purpose on land adjoining to the proposed IIT site in Uguem village of Sanguem taluka or in the jurisdiction of the Sanguem Municipal Council or in Nagoa-Molcornem village of Quepem taluka.
Pointing out that the villagers are agitating on the IIT site that is on government land, the Collector added that they are constantly gathering there and carrying out their revolt and obstructing any work related to the IIT Goa project.
“By doing such acts, they are gaining more and more momentum and misguiding people by giving wrong facts. This may result in major law and order situation resulting in loss and damage to public property and human life,” Kumar in her order.
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Local panchayats pressured to show support for IIT project
SANGUEM: Government officials have begun requisitioning the newly-elected panchayat bodies to pass resolutions in support of the proposed IIT project.
A panchayat member who did not wish to be named told Herald that government officials specifically told the panchas that those not supporting the IIT project will have to face consequences in terms of the development of their respective areas.
However, these resolutions are merely passed at the monthly meetings of the panchayat bodies, and not passed at gram sabhas. Moreover, it is the farmers holding cultivated lands at Cotarli, rather than people living in the neighbouring villages, who are going to be affected by the construction of the institute.
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Sudin bats for IIT project at Farmagudi
Panjim: Power Minister Sudin Dhavalikar on Tuesday said he will welcome the proposed IIT project at Farmagudi, Ponda, if it continues to face opposition at other places.
Reacting to the farmers’ opposition against the IIT campus at Cotarli in Sanguem Taluka, Dhavalikar said the IIT project be shifted to Farmagudi where land admeasuring two lakh square metres is available within the Goa Engineering College campus. With additional three to four Floor Area Ratio (FAR), the IIT campus can be set up at Farmagudi, he said adding that it will be one of the best campuses.
“If people of Sanguem are opposing the project and if they don’t want, then I am ready to accommodate it in Goa Engineering College campus by acquiring additional another one-two lakh square metres of land. There is land available at Farmagudi and if the FAR is increased then IIT can be established there. I will take the initiative,” Dhavalikar said.
The Power Minister said it was unfortunate the people have not understood the importance of IIT project. The IIT if established in backward Sanguem Taluka then it will definitely bring in development and progress in the taluka.
