89 comunidades oppose govt bill on encroachments
The week-long 'Save Comunidades, Save Goa' campaign concluded on Friday with 89 comunidades pledging unified resistance against state govt's proposed legislation to regularise constructions on comunidade lands.
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The campaign, which traversed a number of villages across the state, culminated in Panaji.
'The purpose of this campaign was to unite all the comunidades, and we were fairly successful in doing so,' said Seby Menezes, attorney of St Estevao Comunidade.
Echoing the sentiments of all the stakeholders of comunidades, Menezes said, 'We strongly oppose the proposed legislation for the regularisation of illegal encroachments on Comunidade lands.
Comunidades are independent bodies, and all independent bodies should take their own decisions. Govt cannot bulldoze its decision to regularise illegal encroachments on Comunidade lands without consulting the Comunidades.
We urge govt to reconsider the bill. It should not be passed. There should be no such legislation.'
Several participants of the campaign voiced concerns about the proposed legislation opening floodgates to further encroachments if passed. Some comunidades have decided to legally challenge any attempt by govt to regularise illegal constructions on comunidade land.
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