SANGUEM
Farmers agitating against the proposed IIT project at Sanguem got a shot in the arm after their counterparts and other associations from as far as Pernem, Mapusa and Quepem extended support to them on Sunday.
The farmers heading Shri Bogdeshwar Shetkari Sangh Mapusa and Bardez, Kul Mundkars Association, Pernem and Adivasi Sanghatna Quepem assured their total support to the agitating farmers and called on the Pramod Sawant-led government not to take the farmers for granted.
Addressing farmers who are on a sit-in agitation, Adv John Fernandes of Adivasi Sanghatna warned the government to keep aside its
dictatorial attitude and urged Sanguem MLA Subhash Phaldessai to speak on ground realities rather than propagating lies before the general public.
He further said, the farmers were not idle and did not any benefit by agitating. “Unlike elected MLAs who get a monthly salary from the government, the farmers have to toil hard on day-to-day basis. In the instant case, the farmers are left with no other alternative but to agitate to save their lands which they have been cultivating for generations”, Fernandes said.
Another farmer from Mapusa castigated Sanguem MLA Subhash Phaldessai for fooling the people by giving false assurances.
“The IIT project will not benefit local youth. IIT does not need to be set up on pristine farm lands which will affect the local farmers. The government has a lot of land elsewhere which could be utilised for the project”, he said.
Challenging the government to go ahead with the laying of foundation stone for the IIT project at Cotarli village, speakers who addressed the farmers who are on a sit-in agitation said, “we will fully support the farmers whose agitation entered the 20th day.
Members from Revolutionary Group also extended their support to the agitating farmers.
