Meet backs demolitions for Baina development

VASCO: A group of Vascoites led by BJP supporters and councillors of Mormugao municipal council, who support the demolitions in Baina, have strongly objected to recent ‘provocative’ statements by Karnataka minister R V Deshpande.
Around 150 people, who were informed only a few hours before the meeting via social media, gathered at Baina in front of Ravindra Bhavan. They made it abundantly clear that they are for the development of Baina and will come on the road anytime if needed.Manoj Kenny said, “Politicians like independent MLA Vijai Sardesai and Congress Karnataka leaders should accommodate the 205 shanty residents in their big houses or help them financially. The rights of Kannadigas have been violated in their own state, therefore the Karnataka MLAs have no right to point fingers at us.”
Lavina D’Souza, chairperson of MMC, informed the crowd, “Our government has not done injustice to anyone. Those structures which are illegal have to go. In the meantime, fishermen affected are compensated. Not just houses but sheds and break water will be built for them.”
Jayant Jadhav, director of GTDC, said, “We Vascoites are happy for the development of Baina, but the BJP MLAs in Mormugao taluka should not turn a blind eye to the development of Vasco city. There are so many pending projects in Vasco.”
Alleging that anti-social elements take temporary shelter in slums, teacher Santosh Khorjuvekar said, “People should take care while letting their houses to strangers and police should also be on the alert.”
Vasco councillor Krishna Salkar said that once this highway is built there will be fewer accidents in Vasco.