MARGAO
The Cuncolim Chieftains Memorial Trust has strongly condemned the glaring mischief played by vested interests in distorting the history of the Cuncolim revolt in an exhibition where it is depicted in a standee along with other histories at the KTC bus stand in Panaji as part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.
Addressing the media, Cuncolim Chieftains Memorial Trust chairman Oscar Martins and members Sripad Desai and Biku Desai demanded that the government institute a probe into the mischief and bring to book those behind distorting history.
“Cuncolkars are agitated over the distortion in history of Cuncolim. While making a mention of the Cuncolim revolt, it is stated that after the revolt, where the Chieftains were massacred at Assolna Fort by shutting its gates when one of the Chieftains managed to escape by jumping into river Sal through a toilet hole and fleeing to Karwar district,” Oscar said.
He added: Up to this, the history appears to be correct. However, what is objectionable is that it is mentioned that “following execution of the leaders, the Hindu Brahmin landlords of Cuncolim and neighbouring villages of Velim, Assolna, Ambelim and Veroda refused to pay taxes on produce generated from their fields and orchards to the Portuguese government and that as a result their lands were confiscated and entrusted to the Condado of the Marquis of Frontiere”.
Oscar pointed out that following the massacre of the Kshatriyas Desai Chieftains, after having been invited to Assolna for a peace parley, the community of the three villages refused to pay taxes to the Portuguese government as a result their lands were confiscated.
Sripad Desai said following the confiscation of the Cuncolim Gauncaral lands, they fought a long legal battle to get their right back by forming a society of Kshatriyas Gauncares agriculturies called Sociedade de Agricola dos Gauncares de Cuncolim e Veroda.
“This battle was not only fought in the courts in Goa, but also in Portugal. The lands were initially restored by the courts to the Court Receiver and thereafter to the Sociedade de Agricola dos Gauncares de Cuncolim e Veroda,” Sripad added.
The trio demanded immediate correction in the history displayed at the KTC with a further demand that the government set up an inquiry into this blunder/mischief. They have further warned that attempts to distort history will not be taken lying down in future.
The trust has dashed off a letter to the KTC Managing Director, Derek Neto and demanded immediate action.
