the goan I network
MAPUSA
In a perfect example of communal harmony, a group of persons belonging to the majority community came together and stopped a restaurant owner from constructing a pit close to a Holy Cross in Angod-Mapusa on Wednesday night.
A local, Prashant Raut, alleged that the restaurant owner began to dig a pit to construct a septic tank very close to a Holy Cross, near the Alankar theatre in Mapusa, in the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday.
After receiving information, a group of locals from the majority community rushed to the spot and challenged the restaurant owner and also began to video shoot the digging activity.
Just when the situation was getting tense, a police team rushed to the area, stopped the work and requested the owner to produce all permissions the next morning.
But what gave traction to the story was the video of the incident which went viral on social media within hours after it was uploaded on Thursday morning.
Mapusa-based activist, Shekhar Naik, posted the video of the locals arguing with the restaurant owner on his Facebook page, which had 633 shares and 22,000 views till 7 pm on Thursday.
Netizens applauded the locals for taking up the cause, but slammed the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) for failing to curb illegal activities within its jurisdiction.
“Different kinds of illegalities are going in Mapusa with the blessings of the people’s representatives who have been elected by Mhapsekars,” said Sudesh Tivrekar, replying to the post.
“The MMC is totally responsible for such incidents as they are supporting illegalities,” said Ganesh Keni.
In a complaint to the police, Raut said the restaurant owner was digging the pit to illegally construct a toilet without necessary approvals from the MMC.
In his complaint, Raut also said the owner had promised to stop the work but despite the assurance had started the activity late in the night at 1.30 am on Thursday.
“While carrying out the digging work, they have damaged the Cross which is in the property,” Raut said and urged the police to take action.
Acting on the Raut’s complaint, Mapusa Police have initiated proceedings under 107 CrPC against the restaurant owner and warned him not to continue with the work.
“We have sent a report about the incident to the deputy collector and the MMC,” said Mapusa PI Tushar Lotlikar.
MMC Chairperson Ryan Braganza said the restaurant owner had not taken any permission as per the civic rules.
“We have asked the owner to stop the work immediately,” said Braganza, who is also councillor of the ward.
Incidentally, locals from the majority community later paid obeisance to the Holy Cross by garlanding and also lighting candles to it.
