VASCO
The outraged locals and devotees threatened a mass protest and appealed to Vasco MLA Krishna (Daji) Salkar and South Goa Collector Ruchika Katyal to intervene in the matter by convening a joint meeting with the navy and immediately clear the access.
Later in the day, South Goa Collector Ruchika Katyal, who was already in Vasco, arrived at the site along with Salkar and instructed the Dy Collector to check relevant documents and also assured to convene a joint meeting to resolve the issue.
Speaking to reporters, Ayyappa Temple Chairman U Nair said the temple access was blocked on both sides by Naval gates.
"Besides the gates, the Navy arrived at night and put a truckload of stones on the road right outside the temple to block the access without any information to anyone. We have thousands of devotees visiting the temple for the last 50 years,” said Nair.
Temple Committee President Shashindra Nair said the Navy had no right to block the ODP road.
"This is a public road and the Navy has no right to block the road,” he said.
Temple committee treasurer P C Prasad threatened a mass stir by devotees if the road access was not cleared immediately.
Local resident Adv Phiroze Loran said there is an order asking for the demolition of both Naval gates on the ODP road.
“Despite this, the Navy is unilaterally trying to block the access and create problems. The Navy has made multiple attempts to block access of local houses to get them landlocked. We have made multiple representations and got a stay from multiple courts ranging from Mamlatdar to district courts," said Loran.
Navy’s high-handed act unacceptable: MLA
VASCO: A visibly upset Vasco MLA Krishna (Daji) Salkar said the high-handed act of the Navy to block access to the temple will not be tolerated.
"The Navy is not justified in blocking public access to the temple. We are with the people and this public road should be open to all. I alerted the South Goa collector who was already in Vasco and we explained to her all the details. The dumping of mud on a public road is not right and we are willing to have a mass agitation if needed,” warned Salkar.
The MLA said central agencies like Goa Shipyard and the Navy, which are operating in Vasco forget to take locals into confidence and failed to consider public sentiments.
“When locals are cornered time and again, they are bound to retaliate and there have been agitations as the locals are frustrated with such high-handed actions,” said Salkar.
Access to Ayyappa temple through Ram Mandir gate: Navy
VASCO: Rejecting allegations that access to Ayyappa Temple at Varunapuri has been blocked, the Navy on Tuesday clarified that access to the Ayyappa temple at Varunapuri has always been through the Ram Mandir gate.
“This passage still provides unhindered access to the temple. This gate also provides access to other religious structures in the vicinity like St Mary's Church, Kali temple and Ram Mandir as well as the PWD reservoir,” stated the Navy in a press release.
“The Court of South Goa District Judge - 1, by an order has restrained construction of compound wall in Survey 25 adjoining the civil area. Accordingly, construction of compound wall in Survey 25 has been stopped, and access to highway for residents of landlocked properties allowed through naval land and Ram Mandir road.”
“Presently, the access for only four landlocked houses has been temporarily affected due to an ongoing construction work, and hence access from Naval KG gate has been permitted for these families. The road along which earthwork is being done is on Survey No 26, inside the defence land; wherein no court proceedings are in progress.”
The Navy claimed that about 245 families are not able to occupy houses, “as authorities are unable to provide them a secure campus due to various frivolous cases being filed against Navy, on an A-1 defence land.”
“This causes loss to the government and harassment to the families of naval personnel appointed at Goa in various operational appointments, thereby denying them peace of mind while they are engaged in national security duties,” the Navy added.
