Benaulim locals want criminal cases against activists withdrawn

HERALD REPORTERMARGAO, JULY 29 –
Strongly condemning police atrocities on innocent Benaulim villagers protesting against the nefarious housing projects, the Benaulim Villagers Action Committee has demanded total withdrawal of all the criminal cases filed against anti-mega housing activists of Benaulim and disclosed plans to approach the Judiciary to take the ongoing battle to the logical conclusion.
Terming the cases filed by the Colva police as baseless and with the sole intention to harass and terrorise the people to benefit the builders, BVAC strongly believed that the Colva police have an established nexus with the builders lobby and are working overnight in promoting the interests and illegalities of the real estate lobby “Goa police attached to Colva police station are speedily transforming themselves into goons in uniform”, the Committee maintained.
Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, BVAC Chairperson Geraldine Fernandes said Sarpanch Carmelina Fernandes’ utterances that BVAC is aligned with the builders are motivated by personal revenge and only an attempt to malign the image of the committee and cover up her nexus with builders. Her colleague Rudolf Barreto said the Committee is only demanding withdrawal of the revocation order against a mega housing project, apprehending that the case will not stand in the court of law as the Panchayat did not follow the principles of natural justice by giving the builder a show cause notice before issuing the order. “We are surprised that the Panchayat did not issue a show cause notice on the builder before serving the revocation order. We are apprehensive that the case will not stand in the court of law’ That’s the reason, why the Committee is demanding withdrawal of the case before issuing a fresh show cause notice on the builder”, Barreto said.
Replying to a question, Geraldine denied that supporters of PWD Minister Churchill Alemao are members of the BVAC, adding that the movement is carried on by the villagers, irrespective of party affiliations. She has reiterated the demand for the resignation of the Sarpanch, saying Carmelina is not fit to occupy the august seat. BVAC Convenor Seby Fernandes said the Benaulim villagers are well within their rights and fundamental duties to oppose the mega projects, which are constructed in violation of approved construction plans and building regulations in force and in total disregard to the problems faced by the villagers due to shortage of basic amenities and infrastructure.
“The setbacks in these mega-projects have not been maintained as per the approved plans. The committee condemns the sins of omission and commission by the Panchayat to protect the errant builders. The mundkarial rights of the people residing on the land have not been respected. The Panchayat is indulging in willful shoddy communications so as to provide the builders with some escape route”, Seby said.
The press conference was also attended by GBA activists Pravin Sabnis and Soter D’Souza.