Staff Reporter
Mapusa
The newly elected president of Comunidade de Boa Esperança de Aldona, Melwyn Fernandes, on Sunday said that all illegal structures built on the comunidade land will be demolished in accordance with the Supreme Court (SC) order.
The election, held on Sunday, saw the entire committee elected unopposed.
The new committee is headed by Melwyn, who was reelected as president, Melroy Ferrao as attorney, and Jeremias Fernandes as treasurer. Savio Fernandes was elected as substitute president,
Benjamin Afonso as substitute attorney, and Agustinho Alcantara as substitute treasurer. “Our committee was elected unopposed because it is for the gaonkars, by the gaonkars, and of the gaonkars. It has always been, and will continue to be, a gaonkar-friendly committee,” he said. The committee will serve a three-year term from 2025 to 2028.
Addressing the media following the election, Fernandes said he is committed to tackling illegal encroachments. “I had promised all my gaonkars that any house built illegally on comunidade land, no matter how old, will be demolished as per the SC order,” he said.
Fernandes said that around 60 illegal houses have been constructed in Ramtolem and Sainagar without no-objection certificate (NOC) from the comunidade. “These houses will be demolished. I don’t believe any of them will remain standing in light of the SC directive,” he added.
However, Fernandes said that religious structures would not be affected.
He said it was important to keep political influence out of comunidade affairs.
“We believe that no politician should interfere in our comunidade. This message is for all comunidades—politicians should stay out of the election process and the functioning of the comunidade. If this principle is upheld, our unity will remain strong,” he said.
