MAPUSA
The Block Development Officer and the Panchayat began sealing illegal structures on Anjuna beach which were constructed without valid permits in Non-Development Zone.
Five establishments were sealed in the presence of a police team on Thursday.
The High Court of Bombay at Goa had issued directives to take action against 175 commercial establishments which were illegally constructed on Anjuna beach, and had also directed authorities concerned to submit their action report within 10 days.
Acting on the HC directives, the Block Development Officer and the Panchayat started taking action against these establishments from Thursday.
A team along with Anjuna Panchayat secretary Jitendra Naik and the extension officer at the Block Development Office, Shirishkumar Tari, conducted the panchanama and sealed five establishments under police protection. The process will continue on Friday.
Meanwhile, there have been speculations that some officers are showing discrimination in the action being taken and have decided to take action on illegal constructions built by and illegal establishments run by non-Goans first, while those of the locals would be dealt with later.
Ramesh Mazumdar had filed a petition in the high court regarding illegal structures, stating that even after his petition, the illegal constructions were going on full-fledged at Anjuna beach.
The high court intervened in the matter and these illegal constructions were issued a show-cause notice by the GCZMA. But even after that, these establishments were found to be running commercial activities.
The court then issued directions to the BDO and Anjuna Panchayat secretary to take appropriate action against these structures.
