VASCO
A group of angry parishioners gathered at Vailankanni Chapel near IOC terminal Vasco on Thursday morning, after the parish received a notice from the collector to remain present for the demarcation of its property at the request of the MPT.
Speaking to The Goan, Parish Council Moderator Milton Barretto said it was a shocking day for the parishioners of Desterro Church, as the property in question belonged to the Church and it was purchased on payment of Rs 1.7 lakh to the Revenue department. "Based on the application by MPT, the Collector issued an order for demarcation of the property without checking ownership documents. We were not called nor informed about any hearing that had to take place with our presence as adjoining holders, before the order was issued."
"About 500 people had gathered at the Desterro Church on hearing this news, while 30 parishioners gathered at the chapel as our intention was to object to the demarcation and not create a law and order situation," said Barretto.
Added another parishioner, Ligia Fernandes: "As this property is in the name of the Church, we parishioners of Desterro Church have the right to object to the demarcation, which MPT wants to do in this property. The MPT has already constructed a compound wall to mark its boundaries and now wants to encroach on this land by applying for demarcation again."
The field surveyor deputed by the Inspector of Surveys & Land Records said the demarcation could not be completed as the parishioners had submitted objections in the processing sheet, which is a part of the procedure.
He further said he would write to the Deputy Collector along with the process sheet for further directions in this regard.
