the goan I network
VASCO
Tension prevailed at Voddant in Vasco on Monday evening after several devotees and residents who had gathered to perform the Ppoja at Bhovteshwar Temple saw the area around the temple fenced thereby restricting entry into the temple.
The locals and devotees were shocked to see the fence come up around the temple, especially because the there was no fence when the pooja was performed on Monday morning.
Angry locals and devotees sought to know who had fenced the temple and why. As news began spreading, many locals and the Councillor rushed to the site. Angry locals then cut the barbed wire fencing in front of the temple and went ahead with the pooja. The locals then gathered outside the temple agitating in huge numbers even as more and more people also began gathering at the site.
Locals also warned that the culprit be booked and strict action be taken by the police and authorities failing which they would come out on the roads in protest.
Sensing communal tension, Vasco police led by PSI Ritesh Tari also rushed to the venue and tried to cool down angry locals and finally the crowd was dispersed.
Speaking to media, resident Abhijit Salgaonkar said the pooja in the temple was performed on Monday morning but there was no fencing then.
“We are not sure who has done this. We have complained to police and MMC and they must follow up on our complaint. If they don’t act then we have to do something because the entire ward has gathered and united here. This is our temple and prayers are being offered here for last 40 years. As of now, we have done our pooja and we expect that the culprit will be booked”, said Salgaonkar.
Speaking to media, another resident said the temple had been in existence for more than 4 decades. “We had decided that we will do some religious activity here and several years ago we had decided to build a small temple. Navy had objected to the plan then but after we had explained that only a Temple was to be built, they gave us the approval and land for the temple”, said the resident.
Residents meet MMC CO,
action assured against culprit
VASCO: Several residents from Voddant angry over the sudden fencing of Bhovteshwar temple met the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes along with ward Councillor Nandadeep Raut on Tuesday.
Residents demanded that MMC immediately take action against the culprit and the fencing be immediately removed. MMC Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes assured the residents of an inquiry and also assured to take action in this regards soon. Ward Councillor Nandadeep Raut while speaking to reporters said that some unknown person had fenced the area near the Bhovteshwar Temple. “Some residents feel that it could be a landlord but for the last 40 years, I have never seen or met any landlord”, he said.
