Non-Goan builder accused of threatening local farmers in Orlim

2011-05-27
[ Shanti Fortes ]Today while a senior citizen and farmer of Varca Orlim was working in his field he was photographed by two persons claiming to be sent by the builder in the vicinity. The said farmer Felix Rebello was putting mud on his bund and preparing his field .

The two persons told him that they were sent by the builder Anand Batra who is constructing a Mega project Ratan Exotica which is part of a PIL in the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court. They claimed they were Goans Dadas from Benaulim and told Felix if he wants he should fight them or get his Dadas.

Soon after two police men came to Farmer Rebello in the fields saying he could not carry out his work. Felix along with members now of Orlim Gaum Rakhon Manch came on site and told the police that they could not stop this farming activity. They said the builder has stopped the traditional way for the past 3 years which has resulted in other farmers also not being able to grow their fields.

Now Felix against all odds started growing his field and this is the harassment that is meted out to him not only by the builder but also by the law .

The said builder it will be pertinent to know has recently made visits to Kim Miranda residence prior to which he has called her and on not taking the call visited her at her residence saying she should withdraw the case or face the consequence the same contact was made with another Executive Member of OGRM Ida Cuthinho .The OGRM takes strong exception to this unsociable visit and intimidation.Its members then told builder he must not talk to them but to their lawyer and that such threats will not cow them down .


[The writer is President OGRM ]