VASCO
Tension flared up at Velsao when angry locals stopped the double-tracking work near the Velsao Crossing on Thursday morning and confronted with railway contractor in the presence of a Railway Police Force (RPF) and local police.
According to locals, the RPF and the railway contractor had been moving in the area since the last one week and had reportedly told locals that they were merely attempting to repair and replace damaged cables at the site.
A number of residents gathered along the tracks on Thursday and asked the contractor to show permissions from the panchayat or other authorities to carry out works along the track.
A Verna police team was also present at the site when locals along with local Panch Ashok Souza confronted the contractor seeking documents and permission to go ahead with the work. The RPF and the contractor later left the site.
Speaking to reporters, a local, Max D’Souza said railway workers were attempting to carry out works on the pathway being used by villagers.
“We bluntly told them that a proposal must be put up before the panchayat and to seek necessary permissions in case they only wanted to replace damaged cables, as was being claimed by them.”
“The RPF was here on Wednesday and we showed them documents revealing that the land did not belong to them and that we have also written to the railways officials since November to come and settle their boundary, but they have refused to come.”
“One RPF Inspector had even assured to take an appointment and arrive with documents but they have no documents. Even today, we have explained to RPF and they have agreed that they cannot carry out works till they have written permission from the Panchayat and establishing that the land is theirs and hence, they went back," said D’Souza.
Villagers Action Committee Against Double Tracking (VACAD) Chairperson Orville Dourado Rodrigues said the residents had explained in detail to the RPF about the land ownership issue.
“This land along the tracks is the ancestral right of way of the villagers. The Railways are now claiming that the land is theirs and they have to prove this.”
“By installing poles, the land does not become theirs and if we touch the pole or other items, they will file cases against us. They have even put sleepers and blocked our way. The government is not listening to us and the situation is getting out of hand.”
“A lot of organisations are fighting against the double-tracking and Railways are not respecting even the panchayat," Rodrigues added.
