The Villagers of Mealuli on Sunday have resolved to oppose the proposed IIT Goa project in their village tooth and nail.
The meeting called near Jalmi Devasthan, Melauli, Sattari, recited a huge response as around 500 villagers participated.
The meeting was well organised in terms of social distancing as one meter distance was maintained by the villagers.
The meeting condemned the decision of the Valpoi MLA Vishwajit Rane, who also happens to be the Health Minister, and also the the Guleli Sarpanch to support the IIT Goa project without taking the villagers into confidence and also ignoring the livelihoods of the people.
The meeting resolved to demand a special gram Sabha be called by the Village panchayat Guleli to discuss the issue.
The villagers said that the land in question is being cultivated by the villagers for decades since Portuguese regime.
“We will not part with our land,” the meeting resolved.
The meeting also discussed the devasthans and springs which have religious significance to be taken away by the government.
“We have religious sentiments attached to it and we will not allow the government to grab our land,” they decided.
The government has handed over 10 lakh square meter of land to the IIT Goa at Melauli and another 3 lakh would be handed over soon.
For ages the villagers have been cultivating the Cashew plantation. However, the MLA says it is government land which has been grabbed by the villagers.
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