Team Herald
MARGAO: Tension gripped Rumdamol yet again when around 200 people gathered near the illegal hutments to condemn the attack on Deputy Sarpanch Mamtaz Turki and to demand immediate removal of the hutments. Turki had alleged that migrants physically assaulted and abused her at her house on Friday and also challenged her to demolish their illegal hutments.
Fisheries and Labour Minister Avertano Furtado met the agitating locals and promised them that the illegal structures would be demolished by June 16. The mob informed him that six people who were involved in the earlier immolation attempts claimed they had the backing of a local minister, and hence, frequently created tension in the area.
“Whoever has my backing for wrong deeds, step ahead. I warn you, if my name is uttered for illegal activities, I will make sure they face the strictest action,” said Furtado.
Meanwhile, the assault on Dy Sarpanch Turki was confirmed after she was examined at Hospicio Hospital, Margao.
The demolition of the illegal hutments at Rumdamol, Davorlim was scheduled for Thursday, but cancelled due to the Executive Magistrate’s absence.
The Rumdamol housing board residents warned of major backlash if the illegal huts were not removed. A resident said, “We will take law in our hands and destroy the hutments ourselves” warned a local. Another woman in the mob asked, “It’s a good move to demolish the small illegal structures, but what about the larger ones on Communidade lands?”
