MARGAO, JAN 3
In a development that might heighten tensions in the communally sensitive Rumdamol Housing Board area, the village panchayat of Rumdamol has issued a notice on the management of Swami Samarth Temple to raze down the illegal structures housing the temple within 15 days.
The Panchayat body has warned that it will be forced to demolish the structures with the help of a demolish squad if the management fails to act as per the directions.
The notice issued on December 21 by the BJP-controlled Panchayat body was pasted at prominent places on the Temple premises and the 15-day deadline served on the Temple management expires on January 5. “I, Sarpanch, VP Rumdamol-Davorlim hereby direct you to demolish/remove the said illegal construction of pucca shed of Swami Samarth along with all other structures erected in survey No 95/1 & 95/2 of village Davorlim within 15 days from the receipt of the notice, failing which panchayat shall demolish the same by taking assistance of the demolition squad and charges for demolition shall be recovered from you as land revenue which you please note”, the demolition notice pasted on the temple premises stated.
The panchayat referred to the letter issued to the temple dated April 8, 2008 directing the stoppage of further work on the structure in the open space and the notice issued to the committee to show cause why action should not be taken against the structure.
Rumdamol Deputy Sarpanch Damu Naik said that the notice issued to the temple structure is based on the directions from the Deputy Director of Panchayats.
What is interesting to note is that the ruling Rumdamol Panchayat body headed by Sharifa Bi is controlled by the BJP. In fact, the Sarpanch is the sister of a prominent BJP leader Shaikh Jina, but the demolition notice was issued by the Deputy Sarpanch Damu Naik, the acting Sarpanch in the absence of Bi.
Incidentally, the Panchayat has claimed having received a letter from the Deputy Director of Panchayats, South on December 17, 2009 calling for appropriate action against the illegal construction.
As per the site inspection report compiled by the Salcete Block Development Office, the concerned persons erected pucca structure of Shri Swami Samarth covered with RCC roofing and that the front part is erected on GI poles with GI sheet roofing on a metal framework, having cement flooring and with laterite stone work.
Besides, the report stated that the “Sabha Graha” with pucca stage constructed by the side of the main temple.
Interestingly, the Panchayat notice of demolition again speaks of a letter received from the Deputy Director of Panchayats, directing to take action against the illegal construction in survey no 95/1 & 95/2, finally prompting the panchayat body to take a decision at the monthly meeting dated December 7 to issue the notice of demolition on the temple committee.
Acting Sarpanch speaks
Rumdamol deputy Sarpanch Damu Naik said no one wants the temple to be razed down, but said the Panchayat has issued the notice following a letter from the Deputy Director of Panchayats
A strong supporter of the BJP, Naik, however, said that the Panchayat members decided to issue the notice as they faced the risk of disqualification for disobeying the directions issued by the Deputy Director of Panchayats. “No one is against the Temple. Hindus and Muslims in the Rumdamol Housing Board are united and have no differences amongst them”, he added.
“I belong to the Hindu community. I can say no one wants the demolition of the temple. But, the panchayat had to issue the notice because of directions from the Deputy Director of Panchayats”, he added.
Comment of Temple President
President of Shri Swami Samarth Temple, Jayesh Naik has denied that the temple built by the devotees is illegal, saying that worship was going on at the place much before the structure was built by the devotees.
“There is no question of any illegality. It is a fact that devotees were worshipping at the place over the years. The people have now only erected a structure”, he said.
Clarifying that the temple was in no way responsible for fomenting communal tensions in the Housing Board, Naik on the contrary said that no tension has taken place in the Housing Board in the last two years.
He blamed anti-Hindu elements for initiating the process to demolish the temple structure and added that the temple committee would not seek any stay from the court.
Pointing out to the illegal structures mushrooming at the migrant inhabited Moti Dongor, Naik demanded to know why the authorities are dragging their feet to raze a single illegal structure atop the hillock.
Cops maintain close watch
The Maina Curtorim police are maintaining a close vigil at the Housing Board area as the 15-day period set by the Panchayat to raze down the temple expires on January 5.
Maina Curtorim Police Station incharge, PI Sidhant Shirodkar said he has briefed his higher-ups on the emerging situation in the locality. “Right now there is no law and order problem in the locality. The panchayat has issued the demolition notice and they have so far no approached the police for any protection”, PI Shirodkar added.
He, however, said the police are not taking any chances and is maintaining a close watch on the developments in the sensitive housing Board.
