| South Goa MP Churchill Alemao detained, released (PHOTO) |
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He was arrested by Colva Police on the orders of Deputy Collector Deepak Dessai who was leading the demolition squad. Mr Dessai arrived at Colva this morning armed with the order for demolition of huts mushroomed with the government property. However, Mr Alemao reportedly obstructed the bulldozer from being demolishing the huts forcing the authorities to detain him and was consequently released. BACKGROUND: Govt of Today over 70 huts have sprung in this area due to the neglect by the authorities. In the past couple of unsuccessful attempt have been made in demolishing these huts. However, successive government�s had come to the rescue of the fishermen. Finally, authorities decided to use the iron hand in the absence of a popular government. |
NT News Service
Margao May 2: The demolition of over 70 illegal structures at Colva � originally to be carried out years ago � was finally conducted today. The demolition was the fourth attempt ever since the 54,425 sq metre land was acquired by the state government so that proper access could be provided to the beach.
The South Goa MP, Mr Churchill Alemao was the first person to make an appearance when the demolition process was initiated by the deputy collector and sub-divisional magistrate, Mr Dipak Desai. Mr Alemao who was opposing the demolition, along with the owners of the illegal structures, tried to block the access of the bulldozer required for demolition for over an hour, before the SDM (interestingly, it was Mr Desai�s last day as SDM-South. He has been posted as SDM-North, recently) ordered his arrest.
All this was not before the South Goa MP tried his best to get the razing of illegal structures halted. Mr Alemao was seen frantically making phone calls. Mr Dipak Desai, who spoke to the Governor, Mr S C Jamir after Mr Alemao sought Mr Jamir�s intervention told The Navhind Times that as per his conversation with the Governor and orders of the Chief Secretary, Ms Kiran Dhingra the structures had to go. �It was only when Mr Alemao continued to obstruct the demolition drive that his arrest was ordered,� he revealed. However, Mr Alemao was not arrested. The sub-divisional police officer, Margao, Mr Deu Benaulikar in whose jeep, the South Goa MP left the site however had a different story to tell. �Arrest. What arrest?,� he sought to know.
On being questioned further, Mr Benaulikar revealed that Mr Alemao had not been arrested. �He did not have his car along and requested to be dropped. And hence I offered him my vehicle and driver,� he disclosed.
The actual demolition process began after 11 a.m, with over 70 illegal structures being brought down by the authorities. The structures located on separate chunks of land along the Colva beach were mostly used for the storage of canoes, fishing nets, salt and for drying fish.
Of the demolished structures in one part, 41 were pucca, while 13 were katcha. While the demolition was on, a number of residents gathered in groups and made tried to halt the demolition drive.
Some were also heard saying that the authorities had promised to legalise their structures once the land was actually handed over to the tourism department. A bar that had come at the site was also brought down. Most of occupants had not claimed compensation that is due to them and instead went on expanding their structures.
The officials of tourism department were seen running around with measuring tapes at the last moment trying to ascertain whether a particular structure was within the acquired property or not.
The assistant director of the tourism department, Mr Hanumant Parsenkar also refused to take custody of the property after demolition, in spite of the current custodian of the property and deputy collector, Quepem, Mr P K Velip Kankar requesting him to do so.
It may be recalled that while it was initially planned to acquire 68,150 sq metre of land, the government settled down for 54,425 sq mt.
Earlier demolitions were held as early as on June 3, 1992 (when 13 of the then existing 17 structures were demolished), then in August and November of 2003 and the latest one being last week could not be done in the right manner.
Among those present during today�s demolition were the South Goa collector, Mr J B Singh, additional collector-I, Mr A G Pereira, SDPO-Margao, Mr Deu Benaulikar, police inspectors along with a large contingent of policemen, including those from the special task force.
Politicians included the sarpanch of Colva and the United Goans Democratic Party vice-president, Mr Radharao Gracias and local leaders.
WHAT'S ON AROUND WITH THE GOANS IN THE GULF:
MAY BALL 2005
Date: 12-05-05 Organized by Goan Welfare Society (GWS)-Kuwait
Venue: Safir Palace Hotel, Riggea Band: Stepping Stones
Highlights: Crowning of the MAY QUEEN 2005.
YGC BAHRAIN MAY QUEEN BALL
Date: 05-05-05 Organized by: Young Goans Club, Bahrain
Venue: Palace Inn Hotel Highlights: The YGC May Queen Contest
ANNUAL MAY QUEEN BALL
Date: 05-05-05 Organized by Goan Welfare Associate(GWA), Qatar
Venue: The Diplomatic Club. Highlights: Crowning of the May Queen.
UPCOMING EVENT IN GOA:
FRUIT FEST 2005 http://www.goa-world.com/goa/fruitfest/
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