Nearly 75 per cent of the Curlies beach shack and restaurant were razed down by the authorities on Friday, even as the State government asserted that the demolition was to send a strong message to tourism stakeholders that illegalities on the beach belt will not be tolerated.
The demolition which began in the morning had to be stopped midway after Curlies managed to get a stay from the Supreme Court. However, by late afternoon, the operation began again after there was clarity on the court order.
Not all of the structure was demolished. According to Krishna Gauns, Mamlatdar of Mapusa, the structure on survey number 42/10 remained untouched due to the stay order that Curlies managed to get from the Supreme Court.
Gauns said the demolition squad carried out razed down structures in survey numbers 42/11 and 42/9.
The site saw the presence of a large posse of policemen, including three police inspectors, a few sub-inspectors and the DySP of Bardez. Superintendent of Police Shobit Saxena also visited the site to oversee the demolition.
Later, speaking to the media, SP Saxena informed the police were at the spot to avert any law and order problem.
Commenting on the drugs issue, SP Saxena claimed Goa police were at forefront of the fight against drugs and they will always resort to zero tolerance against any drug-related activity.
He said the last tourist season saw drug seizures of Rs 10 crore and it was twice the amount of the previous year. “We are trying to send a message that drug consumption will not be tolerated in Goa," he added.
Meanwhile, before the demolition, staff were given enough time to vacate the premises and shift their goods, furniture and electronic items to another place.
Earlier in the morning, the structure close to the shore was razed and later the one above was cleared.
The demolition drive went on till late evening.
