In an interesting development, close on the heels of 31 illegal houses on comunidade land being razed, the government, as promised, swung into action, arresting two individuals and booked cases against another four, including a staff member of the Mapusa Municipal Council. The fraudulent sale of comunidade land came to light last month during a demarcation survey conducted by the Directorate of Settlement and Land Records.
The wheels of justice have started moving following complaints by victims of the land fraud, and that's a positive sign. However, as the dust settles on this initial crackdown, pressing questions remain: Will this inquiry run deep into the veins of systemic corruption, or will it go along the lines of the jobs-for-cash probe? Is police action enough to overcome the culture of impunity that has long plagued land grab cases in the state?
The Cunchelim comunidade land fraud has hit the headlines because it is a classic case where large tracts of land owned by the comunidade and partly acquired by the government have been illegally traded. What makes this case sensational is the fact that residents got electricity and water connections raising their hopes of legitimacy even further. The irony is that the government agencies, authorities and the comunidade meekly watched as structures mushroomed.
While the arrests have instilled a semblance of hope, the crux of the matter lies in the investigations of several prominent members of the comunidade who are now under scrutiny. Will the inquiry be thorough enough to hold those in power accountable? Or will it become another case of scapegoating low-level operatives while the real masterminds slip away unscathed? The potential for political interference looms large, and the history of half-hearted efforts against land grabs provides little reassurance.
For years, the people of Goa have expressed anger and frustration over the growing encroachments and questionable transactions facilitated by individuals exploiting loopholes in the legal framework. Yes, the government constituted the Special Investigative Team under which many land-grab cases have been probed. Several arrests have been made too. However, the road to justice is a long one, and these cases, some of which are very serious in nature, have made very little progress. Probably it will take years for justice to emerge.
Public trust in the judicial system is fragile, especially because of the delays. The government must set up special courts to deliver justice in land-related cases because these are piling up. As much as there is a need for speedy justice, there is also a need for a thorough and transparent probe. Most of the cases fail the scrutiny of courts because of lopsided investigations or for lack of documentation.
The action against Cunchelim culprits indicates a break from the historical silence surrounding comunidade issues, but there is a long way to go. Down the long and unwinding road, the government's resolve in taking up such cases will be seriously tested in view of the fact that very often illegalities have the blessings or tacit support of political powers. This case serves as a reminder to set systems straight and insulate the common citizens from such traps. There has to be an unflinching commitment to clean the mess, and nobody should be spared.
