MAPUSA
On Sunday, it was discovered that another public toilet under the jurisdiction of the Mapusa Municipal Council was being illegally demolished by unidentified individuals.
The motive behind the demolition of this facility, which served the surrounding community, remains unknown.
The incident occurred in ward 18 at Khorlim, Mapusa, where a few labourers were seen attempting to demolish the municipal toilet.
However, when local residents gathered to investigate, the laborers quickly fled the scene.
The illegal act has provoked strong reactions from city councilors. Shashank Narvekar, the councilor from the opposition group, condemned the incident and questioned the lack of action against those responsible.
“Illegal demolition of the municipal toilet was carried out at Kassarwada, Khorlim in ward 18. No action has been taken, and no FIR has been filed, even though this is the second incident in recent months,” Narvekar stated.
Narvekar alleged that a former chairperson affiliated to the BJP was behind the illegal demolition of the toilet.
“After looting everything else in Mapusa, BJP councillors and ex-CPs have now decided to even go after toilets...,” he alleged.
Prakash Bhivshet, the councilor from ward 20, also criticized the demolition attempt and called for strict action.
“This is the second such incident under the Mapusa Municipal Council’s jurisdiction. We need to take strict action and file an FIR,” Bhivshet said, addressing his complaint to Mapusa Chief Officer Chandrakant Shetkar, Chairperson Nutan Bicholkar, and Municipal Engineer II Prashant Narvekar.
Sources have indicated that a former chairperson and BJP karyakarta, who recently purchased the property where the toilet is located, may be behind the illegal demolition.
A high-ranking officer of the Mapusa Municipal Council expressed confusion over the incident.
“I don’t understand why everyone wants the civic administration to lodge an FIR. Can’t the local councilor file a complaint against the illegal demolition? These councilors usually have opinions on everything,” the officer remarked.
This is the second incident involving the illegal demolition of a municipal toilet in Mapusa. In June, a toilet in ward 10 at Vithalwadi was demolished using a JCB. Despite the registration number of the JCB being known, no case was registered.
The repeated incidents of illegal demolition have raised concerns among residents and councilors, prompting calls for immediate action and accountability from the authorities.
