The struggle to save and protect the agricultural fields began during the previous Congress regime when the government bulldozed its way to acquire large tracts of low-lying fields against the will and sentiments of the farming community. And the battle seems to be far from over, notwithstanding a change in political guard post-2012 Assembly poll. Farmers in Navelim as well as in Cuncolim have not given up their claim over the acquired agricultural fields and appear determined to continue their long-drawn struggle to get back their fields from the government after de-notification. Navelim A motley group of farmers achieved a victory of sorts after they successfully blocked the RSS from holding a convention in their acquired agricultural fields opposite the Margao railway station in December last through the intervention of local MLA Avertano Furtado. But they say that the real victory will come only when the government de-notifies the acquired land and return the fields back to them for cultivation. These farmers recalled that de-notification of the acquired fields and returning the same was a promise made by MLA Avertano in his election manifesto. Incidentally, during the recent visit of the Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, the farmers submitted a memorandum asking the government to fulfil the promises made by the MLA to return back all acquired agricultural fields against the wishes of the people. Navelim MLA and Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado had promised in his election manifesto the return of the agricultural fields coming within the once picturesque Salpem lake. In principle, the government has agreed to de-notify the land acquisition process set in motion by the previous Congress government, but the farmers are yet to be given possession of their fields. While the Chief Minster has promised to stop discharge of sewage waste into the lake by setting up pumping stations, the farmers felt that the government should give the cabinet nod and ensure that the fields are returned to them at the earliest. The CM is expected to lay the foundation stone for the sewage pumping project next month at the Salpem lake, even as farmers are hoping against hope that the government will take a cabinet decision before the foundation stone laying ceremony and return back their fields to them. Cuncolim Cuncolim farmer Vishnu Desai and his family went on a 17-day hunger strike in support of his demand for the return of his agricultural fields admeasuring 8,825 sq mts. He withdrew his fast after the government decided to drop the consultant appointed to plan a project on the acquired field.