PUBLIC ANGER ON DISPLAY: A Moira villager makes an impassioned point before a packed gram sabha as Sarpanch Sagar Naik listens amid mounting anger over the fencing and restricted access to the village’s century-old playground.
MAPUSA
Anger over the fencing and locking of gates around Moira’s century-old playground spilled into the village gram sabha on Sunday, with residents unanimously demanding unrestricted public access and time-bound action against the alleged unauthorised structures.
Villagers questioned how a ground used for generations by children, youngsters, athletes and senior citizens could be effectively placed out of bounds, and demanded accountability from the panchayat and Associacao Academica de Moira.
Madhukar Belekar, who raised the issue at the ordinary gram sabha, alleged that the club had erected iron fencing and gates without obtaining the necessary permissions, depriving villagers of access to a traditional public space.
“This ground has been there for over 100 years. Senior citizens use it for morning and evening walks, while youths and children play here. Athletes also use the ground. However, the club has restricted access by erecting gates and keeping them locked,” Belekar said.
Villagers sought an explanation from the panchayat on whether the club had been permitted to fence the ground. Sarpanch Sagar Naik clarified that no permission had been granted. He said the panchayat had initially been told that the fencing along the roadside was intended to prevent footballs from rolling onto the adjoining road.
The explanation did little to assuage the residents, who demanded that the fencing be removed if found unauthorised.
Prasad Shetye pointed out that youngsters played cricket on the ground for around four hours every Sunday, warning that denying them access to recreational space could leave them vulnerable to anti-social influences. Tulsidas Shetye cautioned that continued inaction and the refusal to open the gates could lead to a law-and-order problem.
Naik assured the gram sabha that a notice would be issued to the club and that the panchayat would follow the prescribed procedure under the Goa Panchayat Raj Act before initiating further action.
Club member Joseph Coelho proposed discussions involving the club committee and two or three village representatives to resolve the dispute.
The villagers also objected to the club charging Rs 10,000 to organise tournaments, calling the amount excessive given the alleged lack of proper ground maintenance. Sushant Pednekar moved a resolution demanding that the gates remain open pending the panchayat proceedings, action against the alleged unauthorised fencing within a specified period and a reasonable tournament fee for local youths. The resolution was unanimously passed.
Meanwhile, Yuvraj Rane alleged that a bus shelter near the Moira club had been reconstructed without permission and that an inscription bearing his father’s name had been removed without authorisation. Naik confirmed that the panchayat had not granted permission for the work. Villagers demanded police complaints and action against those responsible.
