MAPUSA: Calangute MLA Michael Lobo and Calangute acting sarpanch Joseph Sequeira almost came to blows on Tuesday at Calangute Tinto over demolition of a traffic island by the village panchayat. The Calangute panchayat demolished the island to erect a high mast lamp, which it says is necessary for the tourism season.
Trouble started after PWD engineers, who were accompanied by Lobo, demanded to know whether permission had been sought for the demolition. This resulted in heated arguments between the two leaders, which could have resulted in blows had police and locals not intervened. A large number of police were summoned to defuse the tension.
Later, Brahmanand Naik, executive engineer of W D XIII PWD, Mapusa filed a complaint against Sequeira and Calangute Sarpanch Annie Coelho for illegally demolishing the traffic island and damaging public property.
The complaint has been registered under Section 336 read with 34 of the IPC and Section 3 of the PDPP Act. Calangute Police has seized a JCB and a six-wheel truck used at the site.
Speaking to Herald Lobo said the work was being carried out sans permissions. “How can you demolish government property without taking permission?” he asked.
When contacted Sequeira said the demolition was carried out as per the notification of 2003 and there was no need to take PWD permission. “The panchayat was doing maintenance of the island all these years so how does PWD claim its right. Secondly, the high mast lamp is needed there as the street lights are not functioning,” he said adding the development works of panchayat has always been blocked by the MLA.
Further investigations will be conducted by PSI Prajit Mandrekar.
