Team Herald
VASCO: Tension prevailed at Kharewado, Vasco on Wednesday following the demolition of 18 “illegal” houses.
The encroachments were razed as per the directives of the High Court of Bombay at Goa even as the residents tried to stop the demolition squad for razing their houses. However, the demolition squad of Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) carried out the drive under police protection.
Some residents said the High Court in its order dated February 8, 2022 had asked the “encroachers” to clear their structures within six weeks.
The residents said though they had assured the court to remove encroachments on their own, the MMC arrived with its demolition squad and earthmovers and razed their structures and not the encroached portion.
The MMC had rejected the application for regularisation of structures since these had mushroomed on government land and had issued a demolition order dated November 22, 2018.
Anuradha Painginkar, a resident alleged that the municipality was targetting houses of the poor people while, the rich were spared.
Anuradha said she had extended the verandah by only 30 cms but the demolition squad razed the same.
Another resident Kiran demanded that the houses be measured first before razing them.
Former Mormugao chairperson Lavina D’Souza said most of these structures belonged to traditional fishermen and suspected foul play in the execution of the demolition order. She alleged that instead of demolishing only the encroached portion, the municipality razed the houses.
