More than 100 scrapyards are operating in Bardez. Mapusaalone has over 30 scrapyards which are spread at different places around thecity. The main dealer in the city is located at Karaswadda, in Mapusa.
Most of the scrapyards purchase scrap from different sourcesand then re-sell it to other recycling companies outside the State.
The modus operandi of the scrap dealers is very simple. Theypurchase anything from anyone without proper documents, which even includesstolen items. If a dealer purchases a vehicle, it is fully dismantled and firstsold locally. If it remains unsold it is transported from to another place.Stolen items are loaded in the trucks and camouflaged with garbage bags. Quiteoften these trucks escape the police check post.
The main scrap dealers in Mapusa are Bandu mama, Mohammad,Papu and Salim who are scattered from Karaswadda to Colvale. Most of them dealin stolen vehicles, mobile tower batteries, electricity and cable wires etc.
“Just because few people are involved in unlawful activitywe cannot tarnish an entire community. If any scrap dealer is involved incriminal activities, legal action must be taken against them as per law,” saidSayyad Abdul Aziz, secretary of All Goa Scrap Dealers Association.
“Most of the tine no action is taken on such people becausethey collect hafta from these people,” Aziz said.
“Why our community is always targeted? We purchase goods notonly from private companies but also from government. There are times whengovernment officials undervalue goods and sell it to us,” he added.
