MAPUSA
Calangute Panchayat on Saturday demolished encroachments by three restaurants along the Calangute beach.
The encroachments of three restaurants - Ratna Sagar, Sea Queen and Lobos Palm bar and restaurant - were demolished and 150 tables and 300 beach beds that were laid on the beach were confiscated by the panchayat.
Calangute MLA Michael Lobo and Calangute Sarpanch Anthony Menezes were present when the demolition was carried Saturday noon.
"When serving of liquor has been banned on the beach, these restaurants were serving liquor and indulging in other illegal activities like selling eatables and cosmetic products on the beach," Lobo said.
He said the drive against illegal encroachments on
tourism property would continue.
Condemning the sudden action against its structure, one of the restaurant owners said the local panchayat had failed to send a notice to them.
Edward Carvalho, owner of Sea Queen restaurant, said injustice was done to his restaurant which existed from 1971. He further said that Lobos Palm bar and restaurant existed since Portuguese era.
"The panchayat has not sent us any notice. Our
structure is within the CRZ line. If they apply the rule, then why is Tourist Hostel not demolished," Carvalho questioned.
He also sought to know why their three structures were the only ones to have been targeted, when encroachments existed in various forms along Baga-Sinquerim belt.
Calangute Sarpanch Anthony Menezes said the panchayat had acted as per a resolution taken by the village panchayat to demolish all the encroachments within its jurisdiction.
"We were supposed to send notices to all business establishments who have encroached on Monday. However, the local MLA took the initiative on Saturday and requested us to accompany him and started the demolition drive," Menezes told The Goan.
The sarpanch the drive against the encroachments would continue.
The local MLA also said the drive against more encroachments near Titos lane and Baga Ximer would be carried out on Monday.
