MAPUSA
Tensions escalated in Anjuna on Wednesday after Siolim MLA Delilah Lobo filed a police complaint against a group of local residents who allegedly obstructed government construction work.
An FIR has been registered by the Anjuna police, though no arrests have been made so far.
According to police records, on October 21, at Survey No 41/3 in Anjuna, a group of individuals, including Traver Athaide, Ranjeet Parsekar, Michael Queriz, Maxi D’Souza, Desmond Alvares, Ana Fernandes, Jawish Moniz and others, entered a government work site without permission.
The complaint alleges that the accused formed an unlawful assembly and used criminal force to obstruct workers engaged in construction and repair work sanctioned by the Water Resources Department (WRD), Porvorim.
“The accused wrongfully restrained the workers from carrying out their duties,” the FIR notes.
The case has been registered under Sections 189(2), 329(3), and 126(2) of the BNS 2023, which pertain to unlawful assembly, trespass and obstruction of government duty.
Police officials confirmed that PSI Viraj Naik is leading the investigation and further inquiries are underway.
No arrests have been made yet.
Local residents had gathered at the site in protest against ongoing construction on the hill in Anjuna, which they have claimed is environmentally sensitive and close to the sea.
The incident follows earlier public confrontations and protests led by the Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP) and local villagers against constructions associated with the Lobo family, which have drawn political and environmental scrutiny.
As the investigation continues, the FIR has added a new layer of tension to the ongoing dispute between the Anjuna residents and the MLA family, highlighting the deepening conflict over land use, coastal development and community rights in the area.
