BICHOLIM
Nearly eight illegal houses at Pirachi Pond in Bicholim were demolished after a High court order, amid heavy police presence in the area. The properties in question belonged to a landowner who successfully fought a legal battle to reclaim the land. However, residents, who lived there for years, expressed despair over the sudden demolitions.
“This is our property. We have been fighting this case in the High Court and Supreme Court, and the HC finally gave a demolition order. These people have been living here illegally, and now we can finally move onto our property. We had been renting places because of this,” said the property owner.
Municipality officials arrived on-site to carry out the demolition and seized belongings from the homes. Many residents were caught off guard, claiming they were not given sufficient notice to relocate.
“The government should consider this, as we have been living here for so many years,” said one resident. “They even provided us with light and water connections. We were not given time to make any arrangements; they just sent a notice and immediately came to demolish.”
