The bundh where the Morombi-O-Grande tenants panel is undertaking work on strengthening of the same. Captured by : Manuel Vaz
OLD GOA
Morombi-O-Grande Tenants Association Chairman Shamir Coutinho denied allegations levelled against him and the committee members of having cut mangroves.
Speaking to reporters, Coutinho informed that they have a mandate of undertaking pre-monsoon works of the bundhs involving clearing and strengthening the same, every year.
“We had prior approval from the Tiswadi Mamlatdar as well as the Soil Conservation Department of undertaking the works,” Coutinho added.
“When we were undertaking the works of strengthening the bundh, we were approached by a local BJP politician along with his relatives and supporters who questioned our authority in doing the same. They started abusing us and told us that the bundh belongs to them. We told them that they are free to lodge a complaint if the bundh belongs to them.”
“Later, they brought the police who questioned us why we are undertaking the work and when we said that we have permissions, the police told us to show it at the police station. They refused to even have a look at the permissions and were clearly taking the sides of the politician,” Coutinho added.
“Later, we were escorted to our homes by the police who warned us that we would be beaten by supporters of the politician,” he stated and added that after they went home, the politician along with his supporters cut the mangroves and also damaged the door of the Zoddi Manos.
“They have done such cowardly act only to falsely implicate us and we condemn that some media went by their propaganda and published reports without cross-checking the real facts,” Coutinho opined.
“We have already filed a police complaint in this regard and we are awaiting provision of police protection to again start the work of strengthening the bundh,” he added.
Coutinho then alleged that the politician, who runs a restaurant nearby, wants to usurp the bundh for his own personal gains and he could not digest the action taken by the current tenants association committee which is working towards the benefits and welfare of the farmers.
“The bundh belongs to the community and we cannot allow such persons to usurp the same, which is the reason why the said politician along with the committee members of the past is harassing us,” Coutinho added.
Meanwhile, a farmer Charles D’Souza praised the current tenants panel for undertaking the works which were not undertaking for decades.
“It is the responsibility of the government to support such panel which is helping promote farming. When the government talks about promotion of farming, then it is their duty to extend support to people promoting farming and not destroying it,” D’Souza added.
