MARGAO
Terming the controversy over the demolition of the illegal construction on Verna Comunidade land as unwarranted, the South Goa Comunidades Forum has asserted that the demolition has been carried out in accordance with law and after due process.
The Forum further said the perception that the Comunidade was selective in targeting the encroacher’s construction is misplaced, saying the Comunidade of Verna has demolished 70 structures over the last eight years, adding that the structure razed down recently is the 71st and the oldest case, pending for demolition for last 16 years.
Addressing the media on Saturday, Secretary and spokesperson of the South Goa Communidades Forum, Savio J F Correia said the Comunidade Managing Committees are duty-bound to act against encroachments and illegal constructions on their lands.
On allegations that several illegal constructions/ encroachments in Verna and other villages are being overlooked, he said the Comunidades can only bring such illegalities to notice of the Administrator who is empowered to act under the Comunidade Code.
“Complaints filed against such encroachments by several Comunidades are pending disposal before the Administrator’, he said.
Saying the demolition of the illegal construction in question was done in accordance with law, he said the principles of natural justice was complied with and the encroacher given ample opportunity to comply with the demolition orders.
“The encroacher's claim that they constructed their house 40 years ago is false, as by their own admission before the Civil Court, they are 53 years old today. They could not possibly have encroached on the Comunidade land when they were 13 years old. The Comunidade first learnt of the encroachment in August 2006 and acted swiftly in the matter.
Providing further information on the Verna row, Corriea said the illegal construction by one Rama Waddar and his wife Remediana Castanha on Verna Comunidade land has been a long-standing issue.
“The Comunidade of Verna first took cognisance of the encroachment in August 2006 and the Administrator issued a demolition order in June 2007. However, the encroacher did not comply with the order and continued to expand the encroachment. Yet another reminder demolition order was issued in August 2012. Instead of complying, the encroachers moved the Civil Court and obtained a stay in February 2013, and the matter was sub-judice for several years.
He claimed: “Despite pendency of the suit, the encroacher continued to erect more structures on the Comunidade land, and even gave out some rooms on rent to migrants. In November 2018, the Civil Court dismissed the suit, consequently the demolition order issued by the Administrator of Comunidades attained finality, and awaited execution. The demolition was eventually done on September 6, 2023”.
Saying the controversy surrounding the demolition is unfortunate, Corriea said the Comunidade of Verna was simply exercising its legal right to protect its land from encroachment.
Saying the encroachers had ample opportunity to comply with the demolition orders, but they chose not to do so, the Forum has urged the public and the media to appreciate the facts of the case and to refrain from spreading misinformation. The demolition of the illegal construction was a necessary step to uphold the law and to protect the interests of the Comunidade, the Forum added.
