SANGUEM
Farmers from Sanguem who are agitating against the proposed IIT project on pristine farmlands at Cotarli village in Sanguem were left disappointed after the hearing in the Chapter case filed against eight of them got adjourned without any business.
The farmers were upset as neither the police Inspector nor the deputy collector was present for the hearing.
Terming the attitude of government officials as a harassment tactic to keep farmers away from their agitation, one of the farmers, Joseph Fernandes, warned the government not to take the farmers lightly.
“It is high time that the government step behind from getting the project commissioned at Sanguem,” said Fernandes.
He appealed to Sanguem MLA Subhash Phaldessai to withdraw himself from the project while threatening to take the peaceful agitation to new heights.
“We will not bow down to the pressure tactics adopted by the government under any circumstances,” claimed Fernandes.
Santano Rodrigues criticised the government for selectively targetting the farmers from Sanguem in their agitation to save their farmlands and the mountain that protects the whole of Sanguem town.
On October 5, Section 144 was imposed in Sanguem and the adjoining Uguem village and the farmers were prevented by policemen from moving on the roads. However, another rally was conducted by a group in the town area and it was witnessed by the policemen.
"Was Section 144 applicable only to the farming community?” questioned Rodrigues, while demanding action against the Sanguem police inspector for violation of Section 144.
“The very act of the policemen at Sanguem shows to what extent they abide by the orders issued by the Collector,” claimed Rodrigues.
He also claimed that the process of survey operation conducted by officials for demarcating the site for the IIT project was totally wrong, since no notices were issued to the affected parties by the government.
Another farmer, Constancio Mascarenhas, said the farmers are determined to fight to save their lands at any cost.
“We will not bow down to the pressure tactics followed by the Government,” warned Mascarenhas.
The farmers were upset as neither the police Inspector nor the deputy collector was present for the hearing.
Terming the attitude of government officials as a harassment tactic to keep farmers away from their agitation, one of the farmers, Joseph Fernandes, warned the government not to take the farmers lightly.
“It is high time that the government step behind from getting the project commissioned at Sanguem,” said Fernandes.
He appealed to Sanguem MLA Subhash Phaldessai to withdraw himself from the project while threatening to take the peaceful agitation to new heights.
“We will not bow down to the pressure tactics adopted by the government under any circumstances,” claimed Fernandes.
Santano Rodrigues criticised the government for selectively targetting the farmers from Sanguem in their agitation to save their farmlands and the mountain that protects the whole of Sanguem town.
On October 5, Section 144 was imposed in Sanguem and the adjoining Uguem village and the farmers were prevented by policemen from moving on the roads. However, another rally was conducted by a group in the town area and it was witnessed by the policemen.
"Was Section 144 applicable only to the farming community?” questioned Rodrigues, while demanding action against the Sanguem police inspector for violation of Section 144.
“The very act of the policemen at Sanguem shows to what extent they abide by the orders issued by the Collector,” claimed Rodrigues.
He also claimed that the process of survey operation conducted by officials for demarcating the site for the IIT project was totally wrong, since no notices were issued to the affected parties by the government.
Another farmer, Constancio Mascarenhas, said the farmers are determined to fight to save their lands at any cost.
“We will not bow down to the pressure tactics followed by the Government,” warned Mascarenhas.
