They also expressed disappointment with the administration for not giving them the same and for conducting its hearings in a mysterious and confusing manner.
In a fresh petition filed on June 29, the residents placed detailed facts on the demolitions in Baina from December 31, 2014 to June 29. Also included was the June 20 incident, in which administrators demolished 50 houses even though a case regarding the same was scheduled for hearing before the district court that afternoon.
The petitioners also informed that the High Court passed an order in the writ petition number 295/2015 filed by the Baina Resident’s Welfare Association. Complying with the order, the Mormugao Mamlatdar commenced a hearing on June 23 (as per court order on June 17) to give the petitioners an opportunity to produce any document to establish that their structures existed prior to 1995 and therefore could not be demolished under the Goa Land (Prohibition on Construction) Act, 1995.
“We were left with no option but to approach the court once again. The officials in the State administration, who were supposed to follow the High Court’s directions and hold a hearing on June 23, deliberately kept the petitioners in confusion to make sure that they did not get enough time to submit the documents. Our structures could then be demolished,” said petitioner Dilip Khobrekar.
According to hutment dwellers, during the hearing, the Mamlatdar first rejected the application seeking 15 days to produce the documents. Later, someone spread rumours in the same office that those who submit the documents on same day would be considered and the rest would not get any relief. Around 34 residents submitted documents in fear.
“Ever since the hearing commenced, there was confusion in the Mamlatdar’s office. Hardly anyone came forward to provide assistance or details to us. Thus, about 130 people filed another application seeking a certified copy of the order passed by the Mamlatdar on our application dated June 23 seeking more time. However, even that letter was sidelined by saying that the officers are busy. Till date we have no official information as to whether the Mamlatdar granted any time or not. Only through the papers we came to know that he had given us seven days to submit the documents, after which he would not accept the same,” said a resident Rukma Tandel.
The residents also questioned the intentions of the administration. They said, “If the attempt was genuine and the officials had any sort of humanity towards us, why didn’t they even put up a single notice about the time given to the applicants in Baina issue. Considering all this, we have no doubt that there is some other motive behind dislodging us from the place. It is surely not the beautification project, but some other motives,” said a Baina local.
The date of the next hearing based on the new petition will be known on July 6. Only after that will the Baina case be clear.
Meanwhile, Mormugao Mamlatdar Laxmikant Desai refuted all allegations against him and said he had followed the high court’s order and that there was no hidden agenda.
