Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Feb 5: Agricultural fields close to the residential area of Dongorim in the Azossim–Mandur panchayat were flooded after saline water entered the area, with locals alleging deliberate sabotage of a nearby sluice gate.

Residents said the saline water flowed through an open sluice gate linked to the Damda khazan in neighbouring Neura village, which forms the boundary between the two panchayat jurisdictions. From there, the water rushed through the Dongorim creek, around the hill, and into the Cumbharjua canal.

The sluice gate, a crucial structure used to regulate tidal flow in khazan lands, was found with all its doors or wooden planks removed over the past couple of days, allowing seawater to inundate the fields.

Although paddy cultivation in the area has remained largely abandoned for several years due to multiple challenges, some farmers had recently started growing vegetables. “This time, however, a few farmers had cultivated vegetables,” a local resident said, expressing concern over the losses.

Ramrao Wagh, convener of the Khazan Action Committee, alleged that the damage could be the result of sabotage by those who have been granted fishing rights by the tenants association managing the khazan. He said saline water ingress has been a recurring issue, allegedly caused by sluice gate operators facilitating fishing activities in the extensive khazan belt stretching from Agasaim to Corlim.

Following Wagh’s complaint, an official from the Tiswadi mamlatdar’s office inspected the site along with personnel from the Agasaim police, members of the managing committee, and the sluice gate lease holder.

Mamlatdar Dattaprasad Toraskar subsequently directed the tenants association managing committee to carry out immediate repairs to the damaged sluice gate and forwarded the complaint to the Agasaim police for further investigation.

An official said the mamlatdar has sanctioned Rs 1 lakh for repair work and has also instructed the committee to approach the soil conservation wing of the agriculture department for comprehensive restoration of the structure.

Wagh has demanded that the sluice gate be sealed and that all fishing activities be halted until repairs are fully completed to prevent further damage to the fields.