the goan I network
VASCO
Kharewado witnessed tense Moments on Thursday morning after a large number of angry fishermen gheraoed Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) officials who had arrived with survey department officials to lay survey demarcation poles.
The MPT officials later left the site and angry fishermen and their labourers began removing the survey demarcation poles laid by the MPT.
President of Old Cross Fishing Canoe Owners Society Custodio D’souza said the land near the sea had houses of the fishing community and fishermen would never allow any development to be taken up by MPT or the State government at any cost.
“When MPT officials was asked if the land at Kharewado belonged to them, they could not provide any ownership papers. I want to ask the State government that if this plot does not belong to MPT, why are they erecting survey poles and with whose permission? The MPT does not possess the title of this land and who is responsible for such dadagiri, MPT or the State government? Why is an attempt being made to disturb peace in Kharewado by instigating the fishermen,” asked D’Souza.
President of All Goa Fishing Boat Owners Association Jose Philip D’souza said the MPT had instilled fear in the minds of fishermen without giving any proper information. “Fishermen are tense and this sudden activity by MPT is wrong and they should not have put these survey poles. I requested MPT to stop the activity as people were very angry. We are born here and we will never allow MPT to create problems,” he said.
