MLA Khaunte advises compromise on grabbed land: Goa’s Arjuna Awardee

Goa’s first Arjuna awardee Dr Otilia Mascarenhas, now an orthopaedic surgeon with super-specialty in sports medicine, practicing in Germany and visiting doctor to India, has alleged that her property in Porvorim which she co-owns with her brother, Oscar Mascarenhas was sold by an impersonator in the name of her deceased uncle Jose Fernandes.

When she took her grievance to Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte, she alleges that the legislator advised her to compromise with those individuals that illegally grabbed her ancestral property. Raising serious questions as to why the MLA would want the illegality compromised instead of assisting the grieved party in nabbing the organised syndicate that has illegally grabbed her land.
“My move to seek help from Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte was unsuccessful. Khaunte advised me to compromise,” she alleged.

When contacted Khante denied the allegation, claiming he has been misquoted. “I’m surprised to hear this. We never discussed the matter in detail. We were to meet four days later but she never returned,” he said.

Mascarenhas has also warned that she will return her Arjuna award back to the President if she doesn’t get back her ancestral property grabbed by an organized syndicate.