MARGAO
Exasperated over the apathy and indifference of the Margao Municipal Council babus and city fathers to rampant anti-social activities on the Lohia Maidan, a group of citizens led by freedom fighter Gurunath Kelekar and women and child rights activist Auda Viegas made a plea to the civic body to restore order and spruce up the area befitting the historic maidan.
“The Lohia maidan is a social temple. The local authorities ought to have control over the maidan at all times. Sadly, the place has become a den of anti-social activities. It’s a bedroom for vagabonds. We are told that prostitution is going on at the place. People just come and urinate and answer nature’s call at the place,” Auda lamented as the delegation called upon MMC Chairperson Babita Prabhudesai and Chief Officer with a plea to restore the Lohia ground to its pristine glory.
The delegation also spoke to the TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai over the telephone. The minister assured the freedom fighters and the citizens in general that no stone will be left unturned to protect the sanctity of the historic maidan. “The TCP Minister has asked us to bear for some time since the government is in the process of putting a plan in place to restore the sanctity of the place,”
Auda said.
She lamented that while anti-socials have a virtual free run at the maidan, the control of the civic body over the place is missing. “The place has come in handy for vagabonds to rest and sleep. Unscrupulous elements dump waste at the maidan, urinate and even answer nature’s call on the maidan,” she claimed.
A week ago, The Goan had highlighted how stray dogs have made the maidan and the freedom fighters memorial their second home with no agency or security around to keep these at bay.
