PORVORIM
Tension engulfed one area in Sangolda for several hours on Friday as authorities demolished 16 of the 22 illegal structures in Comunidade property under the protection of a strong police force.
Acting on directives of the high court, the Demolition Squad along with heavy machinery went about razing the structures in Survey 81/1 under the supervision of various officials.
The situation became tense as soon as the Sub Divisional Magistrate, who is incharge of the North Goa Demolition Squad, had sent the Demolition Squad and a police force at the site at about 9.30 am.
Noticing the huge police force and heavy machinery at the site, a large number of affected residents became angry and distraught over the demolition of their homes and pleaded with authorities to either spare their structures or to grant them additional time.
Authorities tried to convince the residents by stating that there is an order of the High Court to demolish the structures and residents had given an assurance to the high court that they would be shifting elsewhere.
Officials then offered them two hours time to remove the household goods from their houses. A number of women were seen screaming and weeping, claiming that they had been staying there for the last 40 years.
Locals were seen confronting officials and the police at the site, but authorities remained unfazed and insisted on completing the demolition drive.
Once the household items were removed, the demolition squad began its operation and 16 houses were demolished till Friday evening. The remaining six houses will be demolished on Saturday.
When contacted, Saligao MLA Kedar Naik told The Goan that he had been supporting the affected locals since the last two years.
“I have been helping them in whatever way I could at the State-level, but this is a court matter and I was helpless to save their structures,” he said.
Former Saligao MLA Jayesh Salgaonkar, who visited the site, stated that the residents had been residing in these structures for the last 40 years.
“I had requested the State government to rehabilitate them first and then demolish the structures. These people are deliberately being targeted. I do not support illegality, but rehabilitation of these people should be considered,” said Salgaonkar.
Among those officials present at the site included North Goa Administrator of Comunidades Sagar Gawde, SDM Gajesh Shirodkar, DySP Vishvesh Karpe, Police Inspector Somnath Majik, Comunidade officials and other government officials.
LOCAL ATTEMPTS SELF-IMMOLATION
The demolition drive at Sangolda took an untoward turn and further chaos when one residents allegedly drank petrol and poured petrol on his head in a bid to self-immolate himself, to protest against the demolition of their structures.
A police team, however, rushed towards the man and prevented him from taking any drastic action. He was later handed over to other locals, who attended to him.
MAN FALLS OFF ROOF
A local sustained injuries when he fell off the roof of his house while he was in the process of removing the roof tiles.
According to sources, the local requested authorities to allow him to remove tiles on his house before demotion of his house.
After being granted permission, the man went on the roof to remove the tiles when he fell down and sustained injuries. He was shifted to Goa Medical College hospital at Bambolim for medical treatment.
SOCIAL ACTIVIST ARRESTED
Dy Superintendent of Police Vishvesh Karpe, who was present at the site to ensure law and order, said social activist Shreya Dhargalkar was arrested by police as she tried to oppose the demolition.
“Police arrested her and produced before the judicial Magistrate First Class. She was later released by the magistrate after obtaining a bond from her stating that she will not enter Sangolda area,” said DySP Karpe.
LOCALS HIT OUT
Emotions ran high as residents hit out at the government and politicians over the demolition of their houses.
"We built our home with our hard-earned money. As a fisherman, I have spent years in the water to build a roof over my head. Why did they even give us a license? How will I wed my daughter now? The government has turned us homeless; now we have nowhere to go," wept one affected person.
Claiming that promises of relocation were unfulfilled, the homeless locals have threatened to boycott the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.
“They didn’t even give us a different place; they should at least give us money now. We have been living here for more than 30 years,” claimed a woman affected by the demolition.
Further aggravating tensions, another resident highlighted the lack of time provided to retrieve personal belongings.
Hitting out at politicians, another resident lamented: “They only come here when they want our votes. If our area is illegal, then there are many across Goa; they should demolish those structures as well.”
COMUNIDADE REACTS
Attorney of Sangolda Comunidade Neville D’Souza said the issue of illegal structures had been going on since 2012.
“Since these structures were built illegally without the permission from the Sangolda panchayat, the people were requested by the Sangolda Comunidade to vacate the area, but in vain,” said D’Souza.
“The matter went to the court and the high court directed the Administrator of Comunidades (North) to remove the encroachments. In fact, these structure were supposed to have been demolish on February 27. But since the Demolition Squad did not arrive at the site and it was postponed. The high court finally directed the Administrator of Comunidade (North) vide an order dated April 3 to demolish the structures with two weeks and to file a compliance report by April 25,” said D’Souza.
