A tense situation prevailed in Kharewaddo- Vasco on Wednesday after a team sent by Mormgao Municipal Council (MMC) demolished the extended portions of 12 out of 18 houses as part of encroachments drive as per the High Court directive.
The demolition took place under the presence of police protection after several people came on the road and tried to stop the demolition. Residents say a lawsuit has been pending in the high court for nearly 20 years to regularize the houses.
Former Revenue Minister and Kharewaddo resident Juze Philip D'Souza and newly-elected Congress MLA Sankalp Amonkar rushed to the spot and asked for a copy of the order but the municipal officials were unable to provide the copy of the order.
MLA Sankalp Amonkar and former minister Juze Philip D'Souza speaks to Mayor Damodar Kaskar.
Later, angry residents marched towards the Mormugao Municipal Council and demanded an explanation for the demolition of the houses.
The Morgaon Port Trust had filed a complaint in the High Court against the illegal construction at Khariwada Vasco. Later, out of 363 other illegal constructions, about 18 families rushed to the court with their property documents. The case has been pending in the High Court for the last 20 years.
Meanwhile, residents of Khariwada expressed displeasure as the newly elected MLA of Vasco Daji Salkar did not come to the spot in the support of residents
Heavy police deployment in wake demolition drive in Mormugao