THE GOAN NETWORK
MAPUSA
The Mapusa civic body has issued a stoppage order to theongoing construction work in the open space in Cunchelim, giving a boost to theagitation launched by the Cunchelim Cricket Ground Bachav Samiti (CCGBS).
The Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) has also issued ashow-cause notice to the Administrator of Communidades (North) as to why theprovisional NOC granted to the communidade should not be revoked for failing tofulfil the required provisions of the law.
“I do hereby direct you to immediately stop the ongoingconstruction work and to show cause within 15 days as to why the provisionalNOC granted to you should not be revoked and failing which necessary actionwill be initiated against as per the provisions of the Goa Municipalities Act,1968,” said Kabir Shirgaonkar Chief Officer of Mapusa Municipal Council in asigned order to the Administrator of Communidades (North).
As decided, several locals and politicians of differenthues gathered at Altinho, Mapusa on Thursday morning and marched to the MMC, demandingstoppage of illegal construction going on at the Cunchelim ground.
Opposing the demarcation of plots on the traditionalground, they had demanded the chief officer to revoke the NOC granted to thecommunidade.
“The stoppage work is a small victory in our fight forjustice. They can vacate the stop order anytime. But since civic elections arenearing, they may delay in issuing the sanad to the communidade and keep thework on hold till the elections are over,” said Sanjay Barde, General Secretaryof NCP.
After meeting the chief officer, the gathering of thelocals marched to the residence of local MLA, Joshua D’Souza, but couldn’t meethim as he was not at home.
“The stop order has been issued only due to the agitationof the people. This shows all this while the work that was going on at the sitewas illegal,” said Vijay Bhike.
He said if necessary, the people of Cunchelim and sportslovers will come to the Mapusa MLA’s residence again and again.
“We will never allow conversion of plots on the ground inCunchelim,” he said.
RTI activist Jawaharlal Shetye, Pravin Asolkar of Mapusayouth, Shiv Sena chief Jitesh Kamat, ex-Sodiem sarpanch, Francis Fernandes andseveral others also spoke.
