MARGAO: The demolition squad of Margao Municipal Council (MMC) on Thursday were forced to return back without initiating action at the alleged illegal gadda installed at KTC bus stand despite the official correspondence, due to lack of planned police protection. The alleged illegal gadda belongs to a close relative of Tourism Minister Rajendra alias Babu Ajgaonkar. Chairperson Lyndon Pereira charged the BJP Minister for supporting illegal activities.
MMC had issued a demolition order of alleged illegal gadda installed on the land belonging to KTC. Local Councillor Johnny Crasto had filed a complaint to the MMC with regard to the same alleged illegal gadda, upon which Chief Officer had even asked the police for protection by issuing a letter to Fatorda police.
On Thursday morning a demolition squad of MMC equipped with all the necessary machinery went to demolish the gadda at the site and even Chairperson and local councillor was noticed accompanying the squad. However, they had to cancel the demolition drive for want of police protection. Fatorda police did not turn up at the site to give protection to the MMC.
Chairperson has warned that such type of illegal business activities will not be tolerated in future, and MMC will even take action against the illegal shops at Gandhi Market, after the Ganesh festival.
Speaking to the media, Lyndon Pereira alleged that the Minister Babu Ajgaonkar pressured the police not to go on the site.
“Even Salcete DySP Harish Madkaikar had promised that police protection will be given to the MMC workers at the time of demolition but police failed to turn up. There is political interference in the matter,” he further alleged.
Lyndon said that according to the complaint by a local councillor the said gadda was illegally installed by one of the close relatives of the Minister Babu Ajgaonkar.
“Earlier there were allegations that the civic body is not taking any actions against the illegal gaddas. Now, at the time of action even police are not supporting the MMC. This illegal gadda belongs to the close relative of the tourism minister, that means even the minister is involved in protecting the illegal activities”, alleged Chairperson.
He even said that Babu Ajgaonkar is trying to build up another illegal Gandhi market at KTC bus stand. “We have to take action against the illegal gadda. I want to warn that MMC will take action against all the illegal gaddas and other activities in Gandhi market after the Ganesh festival,”he informed.
Lyndon went further and said that if the BJP government comes to power again in Goa, such types of illegal activities will surely increase. The BJP Minister is supporting the illegal activities.
Local councillor Johnny Crasto said that they will not tolerate such type of illegal activities in his ward.
