Cops call for demolition of structure at Nessai
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, MARCH 18
Maina Cutorim police on Wednesday called for the immediate stop to the religious services conducted in a workshop-cum-scrap yard at Nessai in Sao Jose de Areal village.
The police also called for the demolition of the structure, terming it as illegal.
Hearing of the police petition to stop the religious services in the workshop was held before South Goa District Magistrate on Wednesday afternoon. The hearing was later adjourned after the opponent party sought time to file reply.
Maina Curtorim Police Inspector, Nelson Albuquerque submitted before the district magistrate that site inspection of the workshop revealed that the premises was used to offer namaz. He pointed out that items of religious importance were found inside the premise, besides around seven water taps.
Maintaining that the structure is illegal in nature, PI Albuquerque prayed that the structure be razed down.
The premises had kicked up a row last month after local Sao Jose de Villagers assembled in large numbers and demanded action against the structure, terming it as illegal.
Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco as well as Sao Jose de Areal Sarpanch Martha Cardozo had also called for action against the structure if it was violating the rules.
Subsequent joint site inspection of the premises conducted by the police and local village Panchayat revealed that the structure was indeed illegal.
What had agitated the local villagers is that the owner was extending the workshop despite the stay on the work granted a year and half ago.
The Sao Jose de Areal had also resolved at the gram Sabha meeting to oppose the workshop-cum-scrap yard from being used for religious service.
