Despite warnings, occupants failed to vacate property
A JCB demolishes structures on Comunidade land in Vagator.
MAPUSA
The Anjuna Comunidade undertook a significant demolition drive on Wednesday, targeting 20-25 illegal structures that had been built on their land at Vagator.
The action followed notices to vacate that had been issued earlier to the unauthorised occupants, with the demolition proceeding in the presence of a police force to ensure law and order.
President of the Anjuna Comunidade Dominic Pereira led the operation, which was carried out under the supervision of Attorney Seby D’Souza and other key members of the committee.
Pereira stated that the illegal structures were constructed on their property, identified as Survey Number 206/1 under the jurisdiction of the Anjuna panchayat.
These structures included shops and makeshift carts, which had been erected without permission by individuals trespassing on the land.
In addition to the unauthorised shops and carts, Pereira revealed that illegal landfilling had been carried out in the area to create space for a parking facility.
This illegal activity not only violated land ownership rights but also raised concerns about environmental degradation in the area. “We have demolished around 20-25 structures that were illegally constructed, and we have also removed the illegal landfilling that was done to create a parking facility,” Pereira stated.
The demolition was carried out after the Comunidade had served eviction notices to those responsible for the illegal encroachments.
Despite these warnings, the illegal occupants failed to vacate the property, prompting the Comunidade to take direct action.