Silva seeks security for Areal Shivaji statue

Staff Reporter

Margao  

Velim MLA Cruz Silva on Tuesday along with Sao Jose de Areal panchayat members and villagers submitted a memorandum to South Goa district collector Asvin Chandru seeking security measures at the site of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue which is installed in Benabhatt ward of
the village.

He alleged that since the district administration and the police allowed illegal installation of the statue of the Maratha warrior, it is their duty now to provide security for it.

“The district administration and the police together allowed the statue to be installed illegally. One person threatened me stating if anything happens to the statue, he will hold me and the villagers responsible. I told the collector through the memorandum that the villagers or any of my constituent will not be responsible for it. Instead it is the duty of the police and the district administration, which allowed the illegality to happen in
the village, to provide security for the statue. Such type of threat may lead to further tensions. I do not want more law and order problem to occur in my constituency,” he said, while speaking to the media after submitting the memorandum.

Silva alleged that illegal hill cutting and mudfilling has re-started in the village even though the locals had protested against
it in 2018.

“A builder had created some illegal plots without a road access. In the name of installation of the Shivaji statue, the approach road was done through the fields which the locals objected to. Minister Subhash Phal Desai, despite knowing that there was an issue in the village the previous day, he came to inaugurate the illegally installed statue. This led to unnecessary tension in the peaceful village,”
he added.

He said he has requested the collector to inspect the area and prepare a report. Silva alleged that the police are now filing complaints against locals despite a local Freddy Travasso was assaulted during the
Monday’s incident. 

Meanwhile, the locals said the police complaints are being filed to suppress their voices against the illegal act of the government.  They have decided to hold a peace meeting in the village on Thursday evening.