Panaji, Aug 21 - Farmers here who have been peacefully opposing the sports ministry's move to acquire fertile land for the construction of a 'sports city' for the 2011 National Games now allege that the government is using the police to coerce them into parting with their ancestral farmlands.

On Aug 15, a notice under section 149 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) issued by the local police to more than 30 farmers, who have been in the forefront of the protest, has left the predominant farming community in the two villages of Virnoda and Dhargal seething.

The proposed sports city, which is supposed to be the venue of the National Games 2011, is spread over 1.3 million sq m, cutting across two agriculture-oriented villages in north Goa.

'It is reliably learnt that you are likely to create a law and order problem or commit a cognizable offence in opposing the 'sports city' project which is likely to come up in Pernem taluka by the government of Goa,' the notice issued by police inspector Uttam Raut Dessai of Pernem police station states.

'You are therefore, directed to desist from involving in any illegal activity concerning the above project which may result into law and order problems or commission of cognizable offence, else necessary action under the law will be initiated against you,' it adds.

Shripad Parab from Virnoda is one of the farmers who received this notice.

'In Virnoda village alone, we have received 16 notices in Dadchi Wadi and Diwade areas. We are co-owners of this land for generations. The government is using police force to crush legitimate dissent here. We are not going to take this lying down.