Calls it an accident
TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: In an apparent softening of stand against the accused builders of Ruby Residency, the BJP’s Canacona block has termed the ghastly Chaudi building collapse that killed 31 people as an “accident,” contradicting the BJP government’s position that led it to file a criminal conspiracy case for endangering people’s lives.
“The collapse of a building at Canacona was an accident that killed 31 people including BJP workers,” BJP state executive member Sarvanand Bhagat told media persons in Panjim on Monday. His statement was promptly objected to by media, who intended to know whether the tragedy was an incident, negligence or conspiracy on part of the builder as alleged by the government.
The block member, however, did not elaborate further but demanded that government should demolish the three poorly constructed buildings adjacent to the site of a five-storey building at Canacona, which collapsed on January 4. “If Goa Engineering College has given its report stating that the building are unsafe, then the same should be demolished,” Bhagat said.
The Block members maintained silence over police failure in nabbing the main accused. “Police are trying their best,” Bhagat said even though the special court has held police responsible for lapses in the investigation.
Bhagat said that political opposition tried to politicize the issue by allegedly involving local MLA and Minister Ramesh Tawadkar in the case. He also alleged that a similar movement was kicked off in case of Vijaya Pagi rape and murder case. “We condemn such political acts,” he said, attempting to save face for the government, after the agitations in Canacona over government failure to nab the murderer.
