A JCB demolishes a house in Sangolda on Saturday morning.
Photo Credits: The Goan
PORVORIM
After having demolished 16 structures in a day-long drive on Friday, the remaining six structures were demolished by the North Goa administrator of Comunidades on Saturday morning under heavy police protection.
Speaking to The Goan, Saligao Police Inspector Somnath Majik said heavy machinery began the demolition at 9.30 am and razed the remaining structures at 12.30 pm on Saturday. Several officials were present to monitor the situation. Authorities will now submit a compliance report to the high court.
“The demolition process was peaceful and there was no opposition whatsoever from the residents while demolition was going on,” said PI Majik.
MLA meets displaced locals
Saligao MLA Kedar Naik interacted with a number of displaced residents on Saturday and explained that the demolition of the 22 houses was undertaken following directives of the high court and the government could not interfere in the matter.
He suggested that efforts could be made to temporarily rehabilitate the displaced residents at the government quarters in Vasco, but the residents rejected the offer and said that their businesses were in Sangolda and Saligao areas and they would demand rehabilitation only in these places.
The residents also threatened not to leave the site of the demolished houses as they had no alternate place to relocate and insisted on a permanent housing solution.
The MLA said had already discussed the matter with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and he would take a delegation of displaced residents and a panchayat member to meet the CM on Saturday evening.
Stones pelted at house
A Sangolda Comunidade member, Reginaldo D’Souza, complained to Saligao Police that miscreants pelted stones at his house at Belavista, damaging some tiles on his roof late Friday night.
He has requested Saligao police to increase police patrolling in the area, on account of tension over the demolition of structures at Sangolda on Friday.
Saligao PI Somanth Majik confirmed having received a complaint from D’Souza regarding the pelting of stones on his house which is right below the hillock on which the 22 structures were demolished.
“Some miscreants must have pelted stones from the top of the hillock. The complaint has not been registered but since D’Souza is a senior citizen, police patrolling will be increased at Bellavista,” said PI Majik.
