MARGAO
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao on Monday said it appears that the fire mafia promoted by the anti-environment BJP government is in super active mode with fires reported at Satrem-Satteri, Navelim and Quepem hills, cashew plantations at Korgaon, Padel at Bethora and various other places in Goa.
Yuri has demanded a high-level inquiry into all the fire incidents reported across Goa in the last few days.
“The cases of fire incidents have spiked in the last few days with Goa Fire Service Department getting 118 calls of dry grass and cashew plantation fires in just 48 hours. This is something abnormal and suspicious,” claimed Yuri.
He added: “I have information that a private forest with pristine trees, bush cover, numerous birds and reptiles was burnt down deliberately with a malicious intent of selling the comunidade land to builders at Soccoro village in Bardez.”
He said reports of a fire in every taluka of the State over the last weekend give scope to suspect foul play.
“The anti-environment and real estate mafia is eyeing the prime Goan cultivable lands to convert them into concrete jungles. This needs to be probed thoroughly," Yuri said.
He said although the fire incidents in hill areas are attributed to rising temperatures, the possibility of a systematic game plan to destroy the forests cannot be ruled out.
He said the Inquiry Commission should be headed by a retired High Court Judge.
