MPA goes to HC over erection of Shivaji statue

Panaji: The Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) has filed a writ petition in the Bombay high court seeking immediate removal of a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj illegally erected on its property at Sada junction near the market complex in Vasco da Gama, reports Newton Sequeira.In its petition, MPA has also requested the court to direct authorities to ensure no further work of any nature is undertaken on the property pending final disposal of the case.MPA has additionally sought ad-interim ex-parte relief to prevent continuation of construction activities.The petition states that unknown persons continued illegal activities including ground leveling and clearing around the statue despite MPA's complaints. The port authority argued the property falls under “public premises” as defined by the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Act, 1971, making the encroachment a cognizable offense.The port authorities have also written to South Goa collector Egna Cletus and other authorities to ensure that till the high court hears the writ petition, “no further activities or functions of whatsoever nature” should be allowed or held for the “illegal statue” on the disputed land.“Failure, if any, on your part to stop any activities or functions, would be brought to the notice of the high court at the hearing of the said writ petition,” MPA has told the collector and Goa police in a written note.Locals allege that the statue was installed by supporters of Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar. The installation of the statue has sparked tension in Mormugao with the MLA’s supporters criticising Mormugao Port Authority for objecting to the installation of the statue.MPA officials discovered the encroachment on Monday and immediately wrote to the police inspector of Bogda police station requesting police deployment to facilitate removal of the structure, while sending copies to the Mormugao deputy collector, Cletus, and other authorities.Port officials said that Goa police ignored the complaint while other authorities did not initiate action against the illegal construction. On Tuesday, MPA wrote to the chief officer of Mormugao municipal council requesting immediate stoppage of work and removal of the statue.The port authority said that failure of state authorities to stop illegalities and remove encroachments on public property necessitated high court intervention under Article 226 of the Constitution.MPA contended that despite prompt complaints to legally bound authorities, all respondents “turned a blind eye to the said illegality”, allowing unknown persons to continue illegal work. MPA said that deployment of private security guards or CISF could create a law and order situation and add to the tension in the area.“The case has been mentioned for urgent hearing before the division bench on Monday of the Bombay high court,” said MPA chairman N Vinodkumar.