Govt justifies buying MPA statue site, tells HC Shivaji is dear to Goans

PANAJI: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj has a "special place in the hearts and minds of the people of Goa" and "historically he was part of attempts to free Goa from the clutches of colonial Portuguese power", chief secretary V Candavelou has submitted to the high court, justifying state govt's proposal to buy the land encroached upon for erecting the statue on Mormugao Port Authority's (MPA) property in Feb.In an affidavit submitted to the high court, Candavelou stated that Shivaji came to Goa in 1683 to save its people from the oppressive Portuguese regime.CS: Offer to buy encroached land was exploratoryI say that during the freedom movement of Goa, the people of Goa were inspired by the heroic attempts of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to fight against the foreign invaders,” he stated.He said govt considered the matter at the highest administrative level in view of serious law and order concerns and intelligence inputs. It decided in principle to explore the feasibility of purchasing the land through mutual agreement to preserve public peace, avert an imminent mass agitation, with intelligence inputs indicating a potential gathering of 15,000 people, and prevent violent confrontation near the vital port establishment.Candavelou added that state govt did not endorse, condone, or encourage illegal encroachments or unauthorised constructions on public or private property.MPA had approached the high court over the alleged encroachment and unauthorised erection of the statue on its property. HC had criticised govt’s inaction and directed the police and govt authorities to assist MPA in removing the statue. MPA recently told the court that it wanted to withdraw its petition after the state expressed willingness to buy the land on which the statue was erected. The court subsequently directed the chief secretary to file a detailed affidavit.Candavelou said the letter informing MPA of the state’s approval to buy the land was an “exploratory effort in response to an acute public peace challenge” and was not intended to undermine the HC’s interim order.On the state bearing the cost of acquiring encroached private land, the chief secretary said the matter was “distinct in nature, involving a preliminary, non-statutory, exploratory exercise undertaken in good faith between two public entities, with the objective of maintaining public peace and harmony”.Candavelou gave an unqualified assurance that the state administration had acted in good faith under a compelling constitutional obligation to preserve public peace and harmony. He said the Sept 8 letter to MPA was preceded by continuous inter-departmental deliberations, field inspections and security assessments concerning the unauthorised statue.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Goa | Silver Rate in Goa | Bank Holidays in Goa | Public Holidays in Goa | Petrol Price in GoaStay updated with the latest Goa news. Download the TOI App.