TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: While celebrating the recent development in regard to the Costa ground, the Aquem Ground Bachao Association criticized the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) for failing to support their demands during the struggle in the last few years.
The association held a programme on Sunday for the Aquem and Margao residents to celebrate the decision of Costa and Company Pvt Ltd to terminate the agreement between Costa and Shrison Realtors, the property’s developers.
Andrew Sequeira, who has been at the forefront of the agitation, said the development brought great relief to the Aquem residents, who will now put forward demands regarding possible plans for the ground. He added that it was a victory for the people and castigated the councillors and Margao MLA.
Advocate Rajeev Gomes said it was important to take things step by step to ensure the demands of the public were met.
Meanwhile, claiming to be the association’s president, Advocate Jawahar Dias accused Sequeira of identity theft and blamed Sharmad Pai Raiturkar for the whole act. He said, “There is more to the Aquem ground issue. It does not belong to Costa and Co. It is the ground of the Fabrica of St Sebastian, and we will get it back.”
According to sources from the builder’s camp, Shrison Realtors won’t honour the public notice, the withdrawal of power of attorney and the termination of agreements. It will go ahead with the project and start work on the site soon.
Councillor Avinash Shirodkar came to take part in the AGBA’s celebrations, but he was chased away by the people, who yelled at him, “Chor, chor, sogle councillor chor!”
Avinash later said, “It is easy to call someone chor, but I know and believe that Damu Shirodkar and I have always opposed development on this ground.”
