MARGAO
Residents of Baida in Chinchinim village took to the streets to protest against the naming of Oile Baida into Muslim wada, warning that the people will never allow the hillock to become another Moti Dongor or Zuari Nagar.
Revolutionary Goans have extended their support to the villagers in their battle against the illegal structures at Baida and to ensure that the name of Oile Baida is maintained by election and other officials.
A group of villagers later submitted a signed memorandum to the Chinchinim Sarpanch Inacinha Rebello, who has assured to place the complaint at the meeting of the panchayat body for discussion and action.
A villager Sidney D’Mello later told the media that the people are united to stop the conversion of the green hillock at Baida into another Moti Dongor and Zuari Nagar.
“Around 615 persons have signed the petition demanding action against the illegal structures and to stop the slum coming up on the hillock owned by the Comunidade,” he said.
Sidney has warned that if the illegal structures at Baida on the hillock are not demolished immediately, the place would one day become another Moti Dongor or Zuari Nagar.
“We have noticed around 20 structures that have come up on the land in question. We demand that the panchayat check the documentation and initiate action,” he demanded, suspecting the structures have come up with the blessing of all, from the top to the panchayat body.
Saying that the panchayat has promised action against the illegal structures, Sydney said the people will take action if the local body is reluctant to mete out justice to the locals.
“The issue has been taken up by all the villagers of Chinchinim. Revolutionary Goans has extended support to the people,” he added.
Sarpanch Inacinha told the media that her father-in-law was the first person to oppose the naming of Oile Baida as Muslim wada by tabling a resolution at the gram sabha.
She, however, said that though the panchayat had written to the authorities about the name, the election officials have not changed it.
“The panchayat has no idea why the election officials have labelled the area as Muslim wada. We had already written to the authorities after the issue was discussed at the gram sabha,” she added.
The Sarpanch has assured the people that the complaint lodged by them will be placed before the panchayat meeting for appropriate action.
