PONDA: Veling, Priol and Cuncoliem locals who have been agitating since last year against alleged hill cutting at Mangueshi, on Monday, petitioned the government and police demanding legal action against developer Gopal Naik.
Addressing media persons, Adv Raju Mangueshkar, Sarpanch of Veling Priol Cuncoliem Panchayat and Damodar Naik said as per the law, the owner can sell the hill but cannot cut the same to develop plots.
Mangueshkar charged that in order to pressurise the villagers, the developer has levelled false allegations against the villagers and sarpanch of extortion through media and dared him to files a police complaint. The villagers alleged that the said developer has 60 to 70 pucca premises constructed illegally at Kundaim Industrial Estate and has rented the same to individuals. They called upon the police to investigate into the matter.
Mangueshkar said a memorandum has been submitted to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai and Art and Culture Minister Govind Gavde to save their village from illegalities and to investigate into several cases and complaints against the developer.
In the memorandum, the locals also alleged that recently the developer’s wife filed a police complaint that her husband has reportedly gone missing. However, the day when the complaint was filed the developer was seen in the Mardol Market. The police unnecessarily called the villagers and recorded their statements, they alleged. Villagers have accused the developer of misleading the media by giving false and fabricated complaints against them.
