MARGAO, Jan. 28 -- Team Herald

In a victory for Velsao residents, railway authorities on Tuesday backed off from contested land after a confrontation that culminated in intervention from South Goa District Collector Egna Cleetus.

However, locals await a formal written order

from her.

Earlier on Tuesday, a large group of people assembled at Primeirovaddo, Velsao, in solidarity with the affected residents, who have found themselves landlocked in their own homes, due to the recent railway construction work that has blocked their traditional right of way.

When the railway workers initially attempted to continue construction work, they were met with strong resistance from the residents who have consistently maintained ownership of the lan...