TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2024
Augusto Rodrigues
SANGOLDA: In all, 18 out of the 22 illegal structures in Survey 18/1 of Comunidade of Sangolda were demolished and the remaining four will meet the same fate on Saturday as work on demolition orders passed by the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court in 2012 saw fruition on Friday.
Tempers ran high as demolition started in the morning as families occupying the illegal structures, first pleaded, then indulged in verbal assault and even attempted self-immolation. But the police force led by Saligao Police Inspector Somnath Mahajik handled the situation with alacrity.
The residents of the illegal structures are from the weaker sections of the society and a majority of them from the minority community. According to them, they were kept in the dark about the houses being built on Comunidade land.
A local resident and occupant of one of the houses demolished, Rafique said: “The Panchayat never told us anything about Comunidade land. They kept promising us that our houses would be regularised and a year back made me pay Rs 10,000 for the government toilet. I was convinced my place would be regularised. ”
As the excavator kept bringing down structure after structure, most occupants took out their belongings, some keeping them with nearby neighbours whilst others just leaving them a distance from where work was on.
The maximum ire was directed towards the three members of the Sangolda Comunidade present during the demolition - the President, the Attorney and Special Attorney - and the escrivao, though none admitted that they were allowed to build their structure by members of the Comunidade.
“My husband was promised by the Panchayat that the matter will be solved and since they gave us the water and electricity connection, we didn’t expect our state to reach this stage. Where are we supposed to go now?” asked Fatima B, another occupant, in desperation.
As the bulldozer was at work, families were seen removing their corrugated roofs and in the process one individual slipped and fell. The incident saw a wave of emotion with those carrying the injured bursting abuses at the ruling dispensation.
“We are happy that our Comunidade land is being restored to us. I am happy that the courts in India are recognising the premise on which Comunidades are founded and hope politicians do not use the poor to play vote bank politics again,” said Sangolda Comunidade attorney, Neville D’Souza.
Right through the demolition, Saligao PI Mahaji allowed the aggrieved to vent their abuses, but when matters seemed to be getting out of hand, he spoke firmly and persuasively.
“In such situations, such behaviour is expected. There is bound to be panic and frustration and with a mob, anyone can panic and react negatively and persuasion helps,” said the PI after he restrained a boisterous crowd that was returning, after providing first aid to an individual who suffered a self-injury.
Maria, in her late forties, sobbed as she wondered her plight tonight. “My husband begged them to give us two days to find another place but they didn’t care. We are treated worse than animals,” she moaned as her neighbours tried to console her.
“They were served all notices that had to be served and it was clear that demolition would start today morning. We did not come to catch anyone by surprise,” stated a member from the Mamlatdar’s office on condition of anonymity.
As it started getting dark and with four illegal structures needing to be demolished, the exercise was called off for the day to prevent any untoward incident as a lady who tried to immolate herself, was aptly handled by the women police present.
