Goa, Aug. 13 -- Addressing media persons in Velsao on Thursday, Cortalim MLA Anthon Vas and others condemned Monday's protest near the railway track. Vas said Velsao witnessed what he described as a "float parade" near the railway track, strongly criticising the manner in which the protest was conducted.

Social worker Roquezinho D'Souza challenged political leaders and others to an open debate on the issue. He questioned how the Railways' name came to appear in the land records and why the concerned landowners allegedly failed to raise objections earlier.

The protest is part of a long-standing dispute over the South Western Railway's double-tracking project in Velsao, where villagers allege that construction has blocked traditional moto...