VASCO
A number of residents from Pale and Issorcim have decided not to part with their land for the double tracking project taken up by the Railways and are likely to approach the court.
According to information, the Mormugao Mamlatdar office had issued a notice to villagers to arrive at the office, apparently for the land acquisition process.
Speaking on behalf of the villagers of Pale and Issorcim, Adv Leona Barretto said that residents were called through a notice issued two days prior, stating that Railways would take possession of their land.
"The villagers were also asked to appear at the Mamlatdar’s office in case they wanted to raise any objections. However in the notice, there is nothing specific written about who is getting how much property and there is no proper demarcation done,” said Barretto.
“They have merely given them a notice but the Railways have begun works illegally without taking possession of the land. The construction works causing pollution in the village has caused harm to the village, which is why around 150-200 people had come here. The notice has been served only to take the land without proper reference or proper demarcation."
Adv Barretto said the villagers have opposed to the land acquisition and no one is willing to give their land to the Railways.
“We have filed our objections and if need be, we will also be going to higher authorities to fight this matter. The work by the Railways is completely illegal and they have taken over the village without even obtaining possession. The Railways are even trespassing and completing their works even without taking permissions of land owners, which needs to be stopped immediately. We have already taken up this in the high court and the matter is going on and if needed, we will also go to the appellate authorities," said Baretto.
Goencho Ekvott founder member Orville Dourado said notices had been served to the people to meet the Mamlatdar and hand over possessions of land in certain survey numbers.
"People were worried as these are heritage houses which housed families across several generations. The Railways have come forward to take possession of land and residents were expected to hand over their only possession,” said Dourado.
“The State government in connivance with the Railways want to take the only possession of land and houses owned by traditional communities of Goa. Despite the fact that residents have been filing objections since 2018, the issue continues to go ahead and people have no other option but to go to the court. The people have appointed their legal counsel who will take the case forward," said Dourado.
