MONDAY, JULY 08, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: Twelve days after the daring Agarwadekars’ house demolition at Assagao, nothing seems to have been done to repair their house.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had declared on the spot that the house repair would begin in three days and strict action would be taken against all those involved.
On June 26, Sawant met the Agarwadekar family and told the media that, “No one involved will be spared. No one can take Goans for granted and go about demolishing houses.”
On another occasion, the Chief Minister also categorically told the press, “Action will be taken against everyone involved. Do they think they will escape? My police teams have gone to Belagavi and they will nab the 15 bouncers. Police have also gone to Mumbai to bring her (Pooja Sharma). The legal procedure will be on.”
While on the Smart City bus ride on July 1, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, when questioned about the impending transfer of the DGP Jaspal Singh (who had been named by the Anjuna PI Prashal Desai as having pressurised him to allow the demolition) said, “Just wait, I will brief on this issue (transfer of DGP).”
However, precious little seems to have happened on this front. The government is also silent on the Chief Secretary’s report.
Olencio Simoes, Secretary GRE said, “What we are asking the Chief Minister is, as Home Minister, he has to take action against the bouncers. CM has to act on the demolition and the involvement of the DGP. Otherwise what will happen to Goa?" "Today drug cases, rapes and crimes are on the rise. People will come from outside and do what they wish. IPC may change but there has to be proper implementation. This is spoiling the image of Goa and the CM has to act,” Simoes said.
Dattaprasad Naik, Independent politician said, “The house building issue is separate, since the family also did a U-turn. The issue is not restricted to the family. They belong to the Bahujan Samaj. Are they feeling secure? Pooja Sharma has applied for anticipatory bail. There is no sign of her being arrested."
"If CM is serious he should take action against those involved in the house demolition and any other person involved no matter how big,” he said.
