PANJIM: The Mapusa Municipal Council on Wednesday commenced, amidst tight police security, the demolition of around 40 shops that had encroached upon the area adjoining the market.
The three-day drive, however, saw many lessees complaining about lack of time to vacate their premises. “The municipality had not given advance warning about the demolition. We didn’t have the time to remove the good from our shops. The officials suddenly began demolishing the shops, although a few of them helped us remove some articles,” Eknath Mapsekar, member of Mapusa Bazaar told reporters whilst the demolition drive was underway on day-one on Wednesday.
MMC Chief Officer Clen Madeira refuted allegations stating demolition notices were issued well in advance.
“We issued demolition notices to encroachments done, behind the nullah adjoining the municipal market… the entire stretch belong to municipality… We heard the other parties over the encroachments along the nullah. These encroachments have been hampering the work proposed to be taken up by the Water Resources Department wherein the nullah needs to be desilted and reconstructed. After hearing and procedures carried out, the drive began,” he said.
The local administration had ensured tight security in and around the demolition premises to thwart a possible law and order situation. “Armed personnel were deployed till the drive was over. The deployment will continue till the concluding day of the drive,” said a police officer.
