Villagers hold candlelight march, demand scrapping of 26-flat development
Residents of Maina in Curtorim village took out a candle light procession to protest against the mega housing project.
MARGAO
Residents of Maina in Curtorim village on Sunday upped the ante against the mega housing project in the locality by taking out a candle light procession and demanding the scrapping of the project.
A meeting held at Maina on Sunday evening was attended by a large number of local residents, including farmers as they pledged to rest till the housing project is scrapped. NGO Goyche Fudli Pilge khatir also extended their support to the movement.
Addressing the meeting, ST leader Govind Shirodkar urged the people of Maina to arise and protect their land from the mega housing projects. He along with the people took a pledge, asserting that the people will not rest till the mega housing project is scrapped.
He also called for launching awareness in the village against mega housing project and approaching the local panch members, village sarpanch, Zilla Panchayat member and the local village and convey their opposition to the project.
In his address, Fr Eremito Rebello suggested the creation of a land bank in every village to stop sale of land to outsiders. “I want to suggest the creation of land bank, wherein village land can be purchased and made it into plots before they are distributed amongst the villagers,” he said.
Fr Eremito said that Goans will be strangers in their own land if the current trend continued. “I have every reason to fight for public caused since I consider Jesus Christ, Mahatma Gandhi, St Joseph Vaz, Matanhy Saldanha as my heroes. Jesus Christ was not just a teacher, but a revolutionary,” he said.
Congress leader Moreno Rebello gave a call to the people of Maina to arise and join the agitation against the mega housing project. The mega housing project has a provision for 26 flats, besides shop. Where will the sewage generated in this project finally flow after a year or two if this project is allowed to take shape,” he questioned, saying the sewage will flow into the fields.
Complementing the people of Chimbel led by Govind Shirodkar and Ajay Kholkar for their sustained battle against Central government’s Unity Mall, Moreno said the time has come for the people of Maina to wage a sustained fight to force the authorities scrap the mega housing project.
Activist Rupesh Shinkre urged the people to remain vigilant at all times against mega housing projects pushed in the village. He said the hotel project at Vetnem-Curtorim was stalled due to sustained agitation and unity shown by the local populace.
A farmer from Maina urged all the people of Maina-Curtorim including the local MLA Reginaldo Lourenco to support the cause of the people and scrap the mega housing project.
Sources said the local residents have decided to intensify the ongoing agitation since work on the mega housing project has not stopped till date.
