the goan I network
MARGAO
With the authorities, including the flying squad paying no heed to their plea to check the land development on a village hillock, angry Raia villagers physically stopped the activity apparently undertaken to make plots for a police cooperative society.
A couple of retired policemen, who were seen at the spot, insisted that the development activity has permissions from the authorities. However, not only they failed to produce any of the permissions, but the mandatory board containing the information on the land development was not found installed anywhere at the site.
When the villagers told the two retired policemen that they can continue the work provided they have the relevant permissions, the duo retreated from the site and left in a car.
Villagers pointed out that land development at the hillock has been going on since Sunday by taking advantage of the intervening holidays. “The villagers tried calling the flying squad, but in vain. When the activity resumed again on Monday, we called up the deputy Collector, in-charge of flying squad, who replied saying she was on leave. With attempts to get the flying squad to the spot turning futile, the villagers blocked the work and insisting on the development permissions, which they could not produce,” informed former Raia sarpanch Xavier Fernandes.
Xavier pointed out that the policemen should not have beat a hasty retreat if they had all the necessary permissions from the relevant authorities. “We even told the policemen that they can continue the work if they produce the permissions, but in vain,” he said.
The villagers have now decided to send a petition to Deputy Chief Minister, who is also the TCP Minister, to initiate action in the matter on priority. “This is not the development people of Goa is looking forward. You cannot use heavy machinery to devastate a hill and fill low-lying areas,” he warned.
Sources in the know informed that though the policemen have applied for development permissions to set up a housing cooperative society for the men-in-uniform, questions are being asked whether they have obtained the permissions or have commenced work before the authorities could grant the go-ahead signal.
