Staff Reporter
Mapusa
After a prolonged legal battle spanning 15 years, 23 illegal structures built on Tivim Comunidade land at Auchitwaddo, in an area known as Lala Ki Basti, were demolished by a government squad on Tuesday amid tight security, following directions from the High Court.
PWD and electricity department staff first disconnected water and power supply to the identified structures before the demolition began. Two earth-moving machines were used to raze the structures, most of which had been vacated by occupants the previous
night.
The demolition concluded by evening, reducing all 23 structures to rubble.
Nearly 200 police personnel, including five police inspectors, were deployed to maintain law and order. Bardez Mamlatdar Anant Malik, Joint Mamlatdar Saish Naik, and other government officials were present at the site, along with Tivim comunidade attorney Savio Pereira.
Some of the occupants claimed they had been residing in the area for around 30 years and that they had received a no-objection certificate (NOC) for 100 sqm of land from the Tivim comunidade. They said that around 10 residents had approached the tribunal seeking a stay, with a hearing scheduled for April 24. Despite this, officials proceeded with the demolition.
Tivim Comunidade Attorney Savio Pereira said the demolition was the result of a long and determined legal effort. “After this demolition, encroachers must take note — this is a very serious offense. Comunidade land is private property, and we are taking this issue very seriously. Not just in Tivim, but across Goa, illegal structures on comunidade land will be removed,” Pereira said.
“Finally, this has happened. It shows the commitment of the Gaonkars — both then and now — in safeguarding comunidade property,” he added.
Meanwhile, replying to the media, tenant of Tivim comunidade and former sarpanch Lala Bepari alleged that he had not sold land to anyone as he had no right as a tenant. He blamed Tivim panchayat for not taking action against the illegal structures. “They kept quiet when 45 houses were built,” he said.
