TEAM HERALD
VASCO: The administration has begun preparations for demolition of the remaining structures at Baina.
Sources at the Mormugao Mamlatdar office told Herald that the officers expect that the High Court stay will be vacated and after giving 24 hours notice to the residents to vacate their premises they will begin demolition immediately after the expiry of the notice period.
The crucial hearing for the stay on the demolition of Baina hutments did not come up on Monday as it was scheduled at number 70 on the list. Sources at the Registrar of the High Court of Bombay at Goa opined that the case is likely to come up for hearing only on Wednesday.
The petition was filed challenging the final notices issued to petitioners under Sections 4 and 6 of the Goa Land (Prohibition of Constriction) Act, 1995.
After demolishing 84 houses at Desterro on April 15, the State was set to demolish these 205 illegally encroached shanties, however the Baina Residents Welfare Association and other residents approached the High Court seeking relief. While hearing the PIL, Justice F M Reis and Justice K L Wadane stayed the demolition for seven days.
The shanties are presently without water and electricity. While water supply was disconnected on April 10, electricity connections were cut on April 15. Despite these hardships the people are still occupying the huts by getting water from the neighbouring locality and sleeping under the sky at night.
“A few days back some of the residents had vacated their huts in fear of demolition, however, they returned soon with the hope that government would provide a rehabilitation package,” said one of the affected residents of Baina hutment, Yellapa Harijan.
