MARGAO: In response to various allegations and concerns raised regarding a recent demolition in Verna, South Goa’s Additional Collector-1, Srinet Kothwale, has provided a comprehensive explanation of the case.
Kothwale stated, “It is clarified that the demolition of an illegal structure erected on land belonging to the Communidade of Verna, under Survey No. 48/0, was carried out based on the final order in Case No. 1/37/Verna/2012-2013/455, dated August 21, 2012, passed by the Administrator of the Comunidade of the South Zone, Margao.”
The case began when Jose Inacio Barreto, a resident of Verna, filed a complaint in August 2006, alleging that Remediana Castanha, a native of Curtorim village, and her husband Ramu Waddar, a non-Goan native, had constructed an illegal structure on Comunidade land at Old Mardol.
The Managing Committee of the Comunidade of Verna, led by President Jose Bosco Fernandes, inspected the site and requested the Administrator of Comunidade to take immediate action. Based on this resolution, the Administrator issued a notice to Remediana, instructing her to vacate the land or appear to show cause why she should not be evicted under Article 371 of the Code of Comunidade. After hearing her side, the Administrator issued a final order on June 6, 2007, directing Remediana to demolish the illegal structure.
Subsequently, another final order was issued on August 21, 2012, reiterating the directive to Remediana for the demolition. In response to this order, the Administrator requested the Deputy Collector and Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) in charge of the demolition squad, Margao, to provide the necessary squad for demolition. The demolition was scheduled for February 5, 2013, but was halted due to a court directive to maintain the status quo in Regular Civil Suit No. 29/2013/I.
Remediana Castania and Rama Waddar then filed a suit in the Court of the Adhoc Ist Addl. Senior Civil Judge, Margao, claiming title by adverse possession and other consequential reliefs. This suit, Regular Civil Suit No. 29/2013/1, was rejected on October 24, 2018. In 2022, the Comunidade of Verna requested the execution of the demolition order, leading to the recent demolition on September 6, 2023.
Kothwale stated, “It is pertinent to clarify that the viral news circulating on social media suggesting that the State Government has displaced the individual is not correct. The demolition was carried out by the Office of the Administrator of Communidades of South Zone, Margao, in its routine demolition exercise as per its statutory duties and court directives.”
Additionally, Kothwale assured that the District Administration is aware of the situation and will intervene to provide necessary assistance to the family members for their rehabilitation.
