LOUTOLIM: PWD officials who suddenly descended on Loutolim, on Tuesday, to carry out a land demarcation survey had to abandon it, due to strong objection from farmers and locals. The officials could not produce any order to carry out the survey. The farmers pointed that as their fields are under cultivation and crops are growing there, and any activity, even walking in the fields would damage their crops.
Even an 80 year old farm owner joined the protest. After
a long face-off and intervention of the Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira,
the officials abandoned the demarcation exercise. Activists pointed out under
the rules, at least two months’ notice has to be given to carry out such a
survey.
On
Tuesday, with no prior notice, PWD officials visited Loutolim for demarcation
of land for the new Borim Bridge.
People
and farmers objected to the demarcation when the plantation of the field had
already taken place
No
survey was carried out, as people asked the PWD officer to produce the order
for the land demarcation which the officials could not
A
large posse of policemen were present at the spot
Activists stated that as per law, 2 months’
notice must be given before land demarcation
Due
to the objections from the people, the conduct of the survey had to be
abandoned.