MARGAO
A couple of stones with names inscribed on them were found near a urinal at the historic Lohia Maidan, Margao raised a hornet’s nest, with social activist Xencor Polgi slamming the authorities for showing disrespect to the freedom fighters.
President of the 18th June celebration Committee, Avinash Shirodkar, however, said the stones had no connection with the Lohia Maidan or its memorial but consists of the old stones which were destroyed in the accident around 12 years ago when a truck had rammed against the statue of Dr Francisco Luis Gomes, in front of the comunidade building.
Polgi’s video went rival after he criticised the authorities for dumping the stones near a urinal behind the Lohia Maidan stage.
In the video, Polgi made a fervent plea to the authorities to protect the stones with names inscribed on them since they form part of Goa’s history.
Goa Forward chief Vijai Sardesai was quick to attack the authorities saying the heroes of our liberation are dumped next to urinals.
“I am shocked and appalled by the unpardonable dishonour and contempt shown to Goa’s freedom fighters at the newly renovated Lohia Maidan. This is nothing short of a criminal act by the Margao Municipal Council. I had taken great pains to renovate this Maidan, against all odds, as a mark of Goemkars’ deep respect for these great sons of the soil. I’m moved to grief today seeing this video,” he said.
Sardesai took a dig at the Margao MLA Digambar Kamat, seeking to know whether Kamat’s reverence for the heroes begins and ends with the inauguration speech.
Even as Polgi’s video went viral, the Margao Municipal Council got the stones removed from the site and stored them in the Green room of the Lohia Maidan.
Avinash Shirodkar, however, said the stones in the video are old stones which were destroyed in the 2012 accident when a truck had rammed against the status of Francisco Luis Gomes.
"These stones have no significance. These are debris and should have been disposed of or should have been kept on the other back side of Lohia Maidan. These stones are very heavy and require 4-6 labourers to lift them," he said.
"The contractor who had done beautification of Lohia Maidan had dumped these stones at the back side, which we condemn his action," he said, adding that: "The urinal along with water connection is installed at the back side of Lohia Maidan, for the convenience of rickshaw drivers and motorcycle pilots and others, who earlier were urinating at many places, making whole area dirty and stinking. With the installation of the urinal, the area has remained clean."
