MARGAO
A flying squad descended at Loutolim on Thursday noon after locals complained of hill cutting near the Industrial Estate.
Even as an official from the TCP department heading the flying squad confirmed that hill cutting admeasuring around 100 metres has taken place at the site, locals, however, demanded immediate action, including seizure of the machinery engaged in the operation.
The TCP official pointed out that cutting is taking place at a height of 4-5 metres, but said that action will come only after he submits the report to the South Goa district Collector.
When the media asked whether the machinery involved in the hill cutting will be seized by the police, he said directions, if any, will come from the district authorities.
Locals led by Adrian and Marvin D’Costa demanded immediate action in the matter, saying the hill cutting has been taking place at the site for the last couple of days.
Adrian demanded to know why none of the agencies had deemed fit to check whether the hill cutting was taking place with permission, leave alone stopping the activity.
Marvin D’Costa lamented that none of the authorities intervened to stop the hill cutting when complaints were lodged with the concerned agencies. He said since the flying squad did not come on Wednesday, the police had visited the site to take stock of the situation.
The locals have demanded action against all those involved in the hill cutting activity.
