OLD GOA
Locals of Khursawado in Goltim-Navelim, Divar, have demanded the arrest of the accused involved in the vandalisation of the Shivaji statue.
It may be recalled that The Goan had highlighted that tension had prevailed in the locality on Friday night when the sword of Shivaji’s statue was found to be broken.
Speaking to reporters near the Shivaji statue on Saturday, a local, Nali Shirodkar, informed that all they want is that the person or persons involved in the vandalisation be brought to book.
“The statue was installed by the locals as a mark of respect to the great Maratha warrior so that the future generations could not forget his contributions to the nation,” Shirodkar informed and stated that the incident has caused much hurt to the community in the area, who revere Shivaji.
“Therefore, it is our demand that the accused should be arrested and justice served,” Shirodkar said.
Another local Shrikant Hosmani suspected the hand of a local politician behind instigating the people against the installation of the statue.
“It’s been two months since the statue was installed and since then we have faced harassment in one form or the other,” Hosmani pointed out while stating that their attempt to beautify the area was also stalled by the local panchayat.
“The land where the statue is installed belongs to a private party and he has given us permission to install the same,” he stated and informed all that is wanted is permission from the panchayat to renovate the area.
“We are not asking for funds for the renovation as we have the capability to undertake the renovation at our own cost,” Hosmani said while demanding that the accused persons be arrested at the earliest.
Meanwhile, Tiswadi SDPO Sudesh Naik along with PI Vikram Naik held a meeting with the Goltim-Navelim panchayat authorities along with the locals in a bid to find out a solution to the matter.
Sources informed The Goan that it has been decided to call all the parties at the panchayat to hold discussion across the table, in the first week of January next year.
