Team Herald
MARGAO: The Aquem comunidade has alleged that the recently constructed police outpost at Moti Dongor, Margao, was built on their land without permission, prompting calls for its demolition. The outpost, inaugurated on October 12 by Margao MLA Digambar Kamat, was constructed without seeking approval from the Comunidade, according to its members.
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“It is unacceptable for the police, who are tasked with upholding the law, to build an outpost illegally on Comunidade land. We will take the matter to the authorities to ensure this unauthorised structure is removed,” said Aquem comunidade president-elect Savio Correia to the media.
Correia explained that while the Comunidade has previously granted land for government purposes upon request, no such permission was sought in this instance.
Adding to the controversy, a retired senior PWD official stated that the land at Moti Dongor includes a water reservoir, which should have required land acquisition or an NOC from the comunidade. The official described the construction as inappropriate and questioned the oversight in approving the structure.
Further, an RTI application filed by Comunidade attorney Celestinho Noronha revealed significant gaps in the project’s legality. Noronha had sought documents such as the NOC, a construction license, and an approved plan from the Margao Municipal Council (MMC). However, the Public Information Officer (PIO) of the South Goa Police replied that no such records were available.
Correia also flagged the Revenue Department’s recent circular directing the removal of encroachments from government and comunidade lands, asserting that this directive applies to the Moti Dongor outpost.
South Goa Superintendent of Police (SP), Sunita Sawant, confirmed that the outpost was constructed with the support of MLA Kamat but stated her office had not received any correspondence from the Comunidade.
The comunidade committee has warned of legal action if the structure is not demolished. “We are determined to ensure justice and prevent any further encroachments on our land,” Correia asserted.
