SANCOALE: Locals of Mollo, Velsao were in for a rude shock on Thursday morning, a day after New Year dawned on the village. RVNL contractor descended on their village with the earthmover and demolished a toilet, a house and an age-old distillery and destroyed the coconut trees adjoining the tracks.
RVNL allegedly did this damage in the presence of the Railway police and the Goa Police. This action was carried out despite the fact that in the last week of December 2024, it was agreed that such demolitions would not take place until the locals meet with the Directorate of Settlement and Land Records (DSLR). This meeting was scheduled for January 6th.
The demolitions were carried out by the railways in the presence of railway police and Goa police. Also locals stated that the demolitions were carried out when some of the affected family members had gone to Old Goa for the veneration of the relics of St Francis Xavier.
Activist Olencio Simoes said that RVNL does not follow any law. They are heaping atrocities on the people. He alleged that the owner was locked inside his house and demolition was carried out.
Captain Viriato Fernandes questioned the rationale of having a second track when the first track was underutilized. There is not a single train for the last two hours since we are here. There are seven days in a week. But 7 trains do not run on the track in a week. He said the only reason they are building the second track is for coal.
A woman villager said that she was held captive by police while her house and toilet were demolished. “Now where are we supposed to answer nature’s call?” she questioned. She came down heavily on the CM who had visited the place three months ago. She also complained that and the local MLA is nowhere to be seen.