MARGAO
Colva villagers rallied by the family of fisherman Antonio Rodrigues on Tuesday, condemning the attack on them and the role of the Colva police in allegedly supporting the Delhi builders.
At a meeting held at the 3rd ward, speakers questioned how the construction project for 10 bungalows and swimming pools was approved when the tourist village is facing power and water supply issues. They also questioned the inaction of authorities as constructions were carried out without the mandatory permission from the Colva Panchayat.
A villager, Eulogio Gomes, said the project escaped action from the concerned authorities at the initial stage, demanding to know whether the law is different for local residents and Delhi builders.
Social activist Judith Almeida pointed out that any construction is deemed illegal if it is carried out without permission from the local body. “In this case, the constructions have allegedly come up without the requisite permissions. The Colva Panchayat should have initiated the process to raze down the structures when the construction came to its notice,” she said.
Colva Panchayat member Domingo Rodrigues said if the builder is hell-bent on not giving access to the fishermen’s family, the people of Colva would stop the access enjoyed by the builder.
Addressing the meeting, president of the Traditional Fishermen Association, Thomas Rodrigues, condemned the assault on Antonio Rodrigues and his family members by the builders. He demanded to know how the project had got permission to build the bungalows/villas when traditional fishermen are made to run from pillar to post to get permission for repairs and renovations. He cautioned that if the bungalow project is not stopped, the local people will be rendered strangers in their own land.
Sarpanch Tereza Fernandes also condemned the assault on the fishermen’s family and assured that the panchayat would stand by the family.
