Digital Goa, Aug 24 – Villagers opposing the Khandepar Badhara work marched onto the Khandepar Panchayat today demanding stopping of the ongoing work and revocation of Section 144 enforced in the area. The Bandhara work is being carried out in police protection. The villagers gheraoed the Panchayat members and demanded that they take urgent actions over the matter in the interest of the villagers. Local Sarpanch Sanjana Naik said that the Panchayat will seek legal opinion in the matter. Anticipating protests, South Goa Collector had imposed Section 144 CrPC within the radius of four villages – Murdiwada, Khandepar, Sonarbag, Usgao from August 18 morning till the work of construction of the bandhara is over. Locals have been opposing the project tooth and nail fearing that construction inside the river basin will create environmental destruction, including causing the river to rise, and will add to their woes during monsoons.
