VASCO: The Chicalim Panchayat on Tuesday demolished kisoks and handcarts which had encroached along the Assoi-Dongri road near the Dabolim airport.
The demolition drive was carried out in the presence of Mormugao mamlatdar Saish Naik, block development officer (BDO) Nicholas Quadros, Chicalim sarpanch Seby Pereira and panchayat member Supresh Mayekar, along with other officials. With the officials along with the demolition squad reached the site, the kiosk owners resisted them and enetred into heated arguments with the sarpanch and the panchayat member, who told them that the demolition drive was as per law and directives received from the directorate of panchayat.
The sarpanch claimed that the panchayat had issued demolition notices to all these encroachers since there were complaints against the illegal kioks by the Communidade of Chicalim, villagers and the defence personnel. He said these kiosks were affecting the movement of traffic and causing congestion at Assoi-Dongri. He further alleged that there were also complaints that illegal activities were going on in these kiosks during night and that the panchayat acted as per law and razed the structures.
Panchayat member Supresh Mayekar in whose ward these kioks and handcarts were sprouted also stated that they were causing congestion and the pedestrians and students were facing difficulties even to cross the road. Most of these kiosks were selling eatable items while,one kiosk owner was found to selling alcohol at night and all were dumping their waste nearby.
On the other hand, the affected kioks owners claimed that they were Goans and were earning their livelihood through these kiosks. They have appealed to Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant to intervene in the matter and to protect their livelihood.
One of the affected kiosk owner Arjun Naik alleged that the panchayat had deprived the livelihood of Goans while, the government was supporting migrants indulging in illegalities and other nefarious activities. Another kiosk onwer Sanjay Naik said that the village panchayat had issued him a licence in 1987 and since then he was running the kiosk and making his livelihood. According to him, some people had sublet their kiosks and stalls to others which might have annoyed the panchayat.
A strong police force was present at the site to ensure that there was no law and order problem during the demolition drive .