PANJIM: The activists, who were arrested on charges of obstructing work of the new Panchayat Ghar at Taleigao, have demanded documents to prove the acquisition of the said agriculture land, where the project is being undertaken.

Seven activists were detained and letter arrested for protesting at the Taleigao site, who alleged that the fertile agriculture land is been filled to construct the new building.

Activists and farmers on Monday held joint press conference, wherein activist Adv Pundalik Raikar alleged that Taleigao panchayat has not acquired the land and hence have no documents to prove.

He said that the land is currently disputed and being heard before civil court. “The authority that is neither the Taleigao panchayat nor Greater Panjim Planning and Development Authority has document to prove that the land was acquired from the farmers,” Raikar said.

He charged that the village panchayat has illegally and fraudulently trespassed into the fields bearing survey Nos 53/5 and 12.

The advocate pointed out that the farmers, on whose land, tenants are cultivating, had never agreed to hand over the land and have given written undertaking that they will not accept any compensation.

“The entire land is acquired illegally. Taleigao is suffering due to the draconian rule of Mr Monserrate (Atanasio),” he charged.

Raikar demanded that Taleigao panchayat should make public the land acquisition document immediately alleging that the signatures of the farmers were forged to get the land.

The farmers said there are eight tenants on the project land, who are cultivating the land and their survival is dependent on it.

The protestors have urged government to take cognisance of the case and immediately stop the illegal land filling.