Report: Sanjay Borkar
Daijiworld Media Network Margao (SP)

Margao, Jun 23: After the Madgaonkars opposed the proposal to set up a separate burial ground for the Muslims in the city two years ago, it is the turn of the  Davorlim villagers to express their anger against the government’s move over the acquisition of agricultural land and paddy fields to create a burial ground for the use of the Muslim community.

The issue of carving out burial grounds comes up during every panchayat, zilla, assembly and Lok Sabha election. Candidates try to garner votes of the Muslim community by doling out assurances on this issue. But no one has been able to affectively tackle this issue so far. Now, although the government had planned to set up the same at Davorlim, traditional farmers here have opposed using of their fertile land for the purpose and have come up with a suggestion to acquire barren land for the cause.

Farmers here have said that they earn their livelihood from these fields. As such, they have requested the government not to forcibly take away their land for the purpose of creating the proposed burial ground. Farmers from this area have served an ultimatum on the government of their readiness to launch an agitation, if the move is not shelved and have resolved to come under a single banner to oppose the same.

“We do not oppose the burial ground, but it should not come up on agricultural land and paddy field. The government should acquire the barren land and set up the burial ground there. If government tries to act against our wishes, we will oppose the move tooth and nail,” one of the farmers said.