VASCO
Goencho Ekvott along with former minister Alina Saldanha and villagers on Tuesday staged yet another protest against the double-tracking works in Velsao.
Saldanha said efforts were being made to put mud and raise the level of land to install the second track.
Saldanha said an officer of RVNL had assured to meet the villagers at 9 am but failed to turn up.
"The villagers gathered here and waited till about 11.30 am only to realise that he has gone to Majorda. Why should he dodge the people?
"We will continue to protest. We are also in the process of seeking legal recourse in this issue because the government and the RVNL does not possess ownership papers of this land,” said Saldanha.
GE founder member Orville Dourado accused a contractor of being arrogant with them.
“These people don't carry any ID cards and we will take this up with the panchayat to ensure that no one can enter this area without ID cards,” said Dourado.
“Velsao is the only panchayat that has gone to Supreme Court to ascertain the rights of its inhabitants,” he added.
