VASCO
Even as the demolition of encroachments continued at Kharewaddo on Thursday, the action shifted to the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) office as politicians, fishing leaders and locals pleaded with Chief Officer Jayant Tari to save some houses from demolition which began on Wednesday after the High Court order.
While a huge crowd gathered at the MMC building, a strong police force was deployed to prevent any law and order situation.
Finally, Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar, Congress leaders Olencio Simoes and Capt. Viriato Fernandes, Goa Fishing Boat Owners Association President Jose Philip D'Souza and other fishing community members were allowed to meet Tari on behalf of the affected fishermen.
The joint meeting lasted for over two hours and attempts to persuade authorities to stop the demolition failed as Tari maintained that the MMC had no role to play and was only providing the demolition squad as per the High Court order on the demolition of extended portions of houses in Kharewaddo.
After much deliberations, Tari advised the delegation to approach the Directorate of Survey and Land Records (DSLR) and place their views on behalf of the fishermen, whose extended portions were being demolished.
The chief officer explained to the delegation that the MMC had to submit a compliance report on the High Court order by Monday.
The leaders later left the MMC office and went to the DSLR to seek an extension of time to re-survey the houses to stay the demolition of the houses.
While it was not known whether the leaders managed to get some relief for the fishermen of Kharewaddo, the demolition of the extended portions of the remaining 7-8 houses continued late Thursday afternoon.
MLA tells municipal council to be lenient on humanitarian grounds
VASCO:
Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar requested the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) to be lenient on humanitarian grounds.
"We had requested the MMC to keep on hold the demolition on Wednesday till such time that we meet the chief officer and look into the High Court order and discuss the razing.”
“We have appealed to the CO to protect the fishermen on humanitarian grounds, but he said that there was a High Court order for demolition. While some houses have been demolished, the Directorate of Survey and Land Records (DSLR) has issued an order that one house should not be demolished due to some error.”
“We also request the DSLR to give some time for the remaining houses so that we can help them. We feel that the MMC will consider our request on humanitarian grounds," said Amonkar.
Officials must reassess houses: Capt Viriato
VASCO:
Congress leader Capt. Viriato Fernandes demanded a reassessment of houses after they had noticed some discrepancies in the identification of encroachments.
“Directorate of Survey and Land Records (DSLR) have now given legal status to one of the houses which was to face demolition, and there are chances that there could be more such houses which have been listed by mistake.”
“We requested the MMC chief officer to give some time so that no legal houses are demolished even by mistake and cause losses to the fishermen.”
“The Chief Officer asked us to approach the DSLR as he needs some intimation from them seeking re-assessment of houses in case there are discrepancies, and we will request the DSLR to reassess these houses,” said Fernandes.
“Activists, fishermen and I had prepared a CZMP plan for entire Mormugao and Goa in 2019, and Kharewaddo was shown as a fishing village. The law states that these houses of the fishing village have to be protected and regularised and a resolution was also passed unanimously by the MMC on this. We must save further houses from demolition," said Fernandes.
Houses of fishermen existed for ages, claims GFBOA
VASCO:
Claiming that houses of fishermen had existed for ages at Kharewaddo, Goa Fishing Boat Owners Association President Jose Philip D'Souza insisted that these houses should not be demolished but protected.
"I was born and brought up in Kharewaddo and genuine fishermen live in these houses. Authorities may have had a wrong impression that these houses are occupied by migrants. It is sad that fishermen, who reside in these houses, have been thrown on the roads. Instead of protecting their houses, the MMC provided a squad for the demolition,” said D’Souza.
Govt must declare fishing villages in State, says GRE
VASCO:
Goenchea Raponkarancho Ekvott (GRE) General Secretary Olencio Simoes said the State government should have declared fishing villages in the State.
"As per a resolution by Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC), Kharewaddo bay is a fishing village and has houses of fishermen. Hence, these houses cannot be touched as per the CRZ notification.”
“We feel that the High Court order could be misled since they have not taken account of the fishing village where houses have to be regularised.”
“We hope the MMC will consider the grievances of fishermen who are not familiar with the law. We also request the government to protect the interest of the fishermen community in the State," said Simoes.
