Martyr’s memorial abandoned at Lohia Maidan; BJP worker defends contractor

MARGAO: The martyr’s memorial is found still laying abandoned in the debris at the Lohia Maidan on Wednesday, despite assurance from the contractor that it will be lifted immediately. However, Parag Raikar, one of the members of the 18th June Kranti Din Committee and BJP worker is of the opinion that there is nothing wrong in that and assured that the contractor will lift the stone and keep it at a safe place. 

Parag has also charged freedom fighter Vaman Prabhugaonkar saying that he did not attend the facilitation function when called but was seen coming at Lohia Maidan to voice out with regard to Dr Lohia’s statue issue. 

“It looks like few are condemning the renovation work of Lohia Maidan, despite demanding for the same. There are attempts being made to misguide the people of Margao alleging that the renovation work is not carried out properly,” he said. 

He said that after the inspection, it has been cleared that the statue of Dr Lohia is safe and kept in a proper manner. 

“The beautification work is carried out according to the plan and the concerned contractor is the fit person to do it. Dr Lohia’s statue will be re-installed at the Lohia Maidan once the work is completed,” said Raikar. 

He further defended the contractor stating that the statue is not damaged. “There is no point in alleging that the statue is damaged, as it is made out of material of high quality. Statue is safe and the contractor has done nothing wrong in handling the statue and martyr memorial,” said Raikar. 

Raikar charged Margao MLA Digambar Kamat and asked why he was not present at the time of dismantling the statue. This is just a stunt to create an issue, he alleged. 

“The martyr’s memorial will also be lifted stepwise. Special type of crane was required to lift the statue to a safe place, and hence it was kept at the Lohia Maidan itself,” he defended. 

On the other hand Avinash Shirodkar, president of the 18th June Kranti Din Committee condemned the statements of Raikar for addressing the media without taking permission from the committee, and having no study of the matter. 

“We had called him when the committee met the Chief Officer of MMC to discuss the issue but he did not turn up. By the way we and Margao MLA are not against the development of Lohia Maidan. On the contrary we have demanded that the beautification work should be completed by December 19,” he said. 

Late in the evening the statue was found covered and kept for installation at the site.