The supermarket linked to the Mapusa Municipal Council vice chairperson partially demolished on Friday. Photo by Agnelo Pereira
THE GOAN NETWORK
MAPUSA
A renewed crackdown on illegal constructions at Karaswada junction has brought back attention to an unresolved decade-old controversy involving local political influence.
On Friday, the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) demolished several unauthorised structures, including a portion of a supermarket allegedly owned by Sushant Harmalkar, the Vice Chairperson of the MMC and President of the BJP Mapusa Mandal.
Despite Friday’s demolition drive, only a part of the supermarket was brought down, raising concerns over selective action. Further reports suggest that municipal officials allegedly allowed the goods to be salvaged from the supermarket before the demolition.
This is not the first time the illegal constructions at Karaswada have come under scrutiny.
A decade ago, former MMC Chief Officer Raju Gawas had initiated action against similar unauthorised structures in the area, leading to the demolition of several units.
However, the operation then was allegedly halted due to the political influence of one councillor, and the demolished structures were subsequently rebuilt and business activities resumed, allowing the operations to continue.
