TEAM HERALD
TIVIM: Activities in the vicinity of a school at Madel-Tivim have upset a group of residents, who have dashed off a letter to the High Court seeking its intervention in the matter.
In a letter to the High Court, residents complained about “illegal activities” in the vicinity of the Government Primary School, which is near the main bus stop along the Mapusa-Bicholim highway.
“The school is surrounded by many elements involved in all sorts of illegal activities without any fear. These activities have given rise to hubs and clubs, where the anti-social elements meet to plan and execute their activities,” states the letter.
Their other grievances have included the presence of bars in close proximity to the school, the accumulation of stagnant water near the school and the dumping of construction material in the area that has caused dust and noise pollution for the school.
The residents also expressed unhappiness over religious activities being conducted by a ‘ghadi’.
When contacted, Tivim MLA Kiran Kandolkar said he was not aware of any illegal activities in Madel-Tivim and added that residents had not brought this to his notice.
The ‘ghadi’, Suresh Matonkar, denied all allegations and informed that he distributes bananas to the school children every Thursday.
Acting principal of the primary school, Bhima Phadte, said the school has only 28 students and two teachers, including her. “The loudspeaker is not on during the school hours at the spiritual place,” she said declined to comment further on the problems faced by the school children.
Tivim Sarpanch Tulsidas Shinde told Herald that he was unaware about any illegal activities in Madel area and was not sure about the illegal house constructed by the ghadi. He has, however, agreed to look into the grievances of the residents.
