54 Illegal Structures of Kannadigas Demolished at Baina-Goa
Margao-Goa: Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) with the help of state machinery demolished 54 of the total 55 illegal structures located in the vicinity of Basaveshwara temple at Baina, in Goa. The demolition drive, which began at 7.30 am, was carried out with full police protection. First, the water and electricity connections were cut off for the demolition-affected houses (mostly belonging to Kannadigas and other migrants from UP-Bihar) and later the municipal authorities used five earthmovers and labour force to conclude the demolition of 54 structures including two temples at 12 pm.
A total of 250 policemen, including a DySP, 8 PIs, PSIs, ladies constable and constable from IRB and from South Goa police stations were deployed at the site. In all ten police teams were formed and with the help of five JCBs and municipal workers, 54 structures including two temples were razed. The demolition of 54 structures has left several families homeless. Though many had already vacated their home in view of demolition, some who failed to make alternative residential arrangements were seen sitting near the demolition site along with their household items. Two temples were among the structures razed during the drive, which was carried out with full police protection.
In the meantime a Councillor has accused state administration of helping builder in getting his property cleared from encroachments without any settlement. Speaking to media persons, MMC Councillor Murari Bandekar, who is representing Baina ward, accused the state administration of using machinery to help builder Anand Bose in getting his property cleared from encroachments without any settlement. “It is painful to see that state government has been spending its own fund help Bose in getting his property cleared from encroachments. Today the way they have used government machinery including Police, Fire, PWD etc. only shows that the government is with builder and not with poor people. Also these people had applied for regularization of their structures as per the new bill passed by the government, but under some pressure all the applications were rejected mysteriously and under some pressure. This is illegal and injustice to the people” he said.
Meanwhile, Vasco-based builder Anand Bose, who had purchased church property, claimed that soon after buying the property, he made settlement offers before the residents. But since they denied, Bose said he was forced to approach MMC. “I had given them rehabilitation offer. However, some local politicians interfered and misguided the residents by taking them to court. I had filed complaint against encroachment in 2010 and it took seven years for me to get my property cleared. It is not an overnight decision and there is no political pressure under which such decision to demolish these structures was taken” Bose informed.
by Susan Fernandez – Team Mangalorean-Margao