CANACONA
Expressing dissent over the blocking of a traditional pathway by erecting barbed wire fencing, residents of Patnem demanded immediate restoration of the traditional access to a temple
and crematorium in the vicinity.
Addressing the media, Patnem councillor Shubham Komarpant and other residents informed that the land admeasuring about 16 thousand square metres was purchased by an outstation party some years ago with an assurance that access will be not be blocked. But a week ago, a barbed wire fencing was done for the entire property, they added.
According to Komarpant, there is a pathway through this property to go to the crematorium, besides there is an old temple. People visit this every new moon (amavasya) and full moon (paurnima). Even traditional fishermen use the same pathway to ferry their fishing nets and related materials, he said.
“The manner in which this barbed wire fencing is erected is purely illegal. I have complained to various authorities including Deputy Collector, Canacona Mamlatdar, Canacona Municipality and also to Canacona MLA Ramesh Tawadkar, but till now the people are not getting any response or support,” he said.
“Let any project come here, but the one-metre wide pathway has to be kept. We need this pathway existing for ages to carry on with our rituals and practices. If our demands are not met, we won’t hesitate to go to any authority or go to any extent to maintain our traditional pathway,” stated a local youth Sunay Komarpant.
Umesh Pagi, Nanda Pagi, Divesh Pagi, Pradeep Mokhardkar, Shambu Pagi, Surendra Pagui, Sabnesh Pagui and Aneesh Pagui were also present during media briefing.
