MARGAO
Villagers of Cavelossim along with activists on Thursday gave a week’s time to the authorities to remove the fencing carried out by a resort in what they claimed as No Development Zone.
After an awareness meeting called by the villagers, officials led by the Salcete mamlatdar proceeded to the site along with the people led by Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas to conduct an inspection in view of the complaints that the resort has put up fencing sheets by using concrete in a NDZ. They have further alleged tampering of a sand dune inside the property.
The inspection, however, could not take place as the security men deployed by the resort owner stopped the people from entering the property. The two sides came face to face for some time over the question of entering the property.
The villagers questioned the Mamlatdar who had to enter the property to carry out the inspection, and demanded to know why the inspection team did not come prepared with an order to enter the property for the inspection.
Earlier, the villagers and activists addressed a meeting wherein they demanded removal of the fencing within a week. Addressing the meeting, Paul Lobo pointed out that the gram sabha has already adopted a resolution to remove the fencing sheets since it has been erected by using concrete.
“We have seen bouncers being deployed by the resort owner to frighten the villagers. We will not be cowed down by such tactics. We will not only ensure the fencing is removed by the agencies, but the project does not take shape”, he said.
Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas recalled that he had recently raised on the floor of the House listing out the destructions that have taken place in Cavelossim village.
“The inspection scheduled today is part of the initiative to ensure that the destructions are taken cognisance of before initiating action", he said.
Cavelossim Parish Priest Fr Eusico Pereria, social activists Judith Almeida, Sohail Furtado and Dagley Fernandes, Roy Barretto were amongst those who addressed the meeting.
