Vasco: Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar on Thursday criticised Congress leaders for allegedly politicising the massive fire at Vasco’s Sunday Market, saying the priority should be to assist affected traders rather than engage in political blame games.
“This is not the time for politics. We need to help those affected first,” Amonkar said, accusing Congress leaders of visiting the site after the fire had been brought under control to make a political statement.
He said Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had rushed to the spot on Wednesday night and remained there until 3 am to oversee the situation.
“CM Dr Pramod Sawant immediately arrived on site yesterday and stayed here till 3 am, and the Congress leaders have come here in the morning after the fire was doused to do nautanki,” Amonkar said.
He urged Congress leaders not to politicise the disaster, asserting that the BJP-led government was capable of addressing the concerns of affected vendors.
“I want to tell all their Congress leaders not to do politics of a disaster because our government led by CM Dr Pramod Sawant is efficient to solve the issues of the affected vendors,” the MLA said.
The fire broke out at the New Modern Municipal Market in Vasco late Wednesday night, gutting more than 150 shops and causing extensive damage as traders prepared for the upcoming Diwali festivities.
Multiple fire incidents were reported in the port town, including a blaze at a garage that destroyed two vehicles and another at a house on the outskirts of Vasco.
On Thursday, Sawant said the fire at the Sunday Market was fully under control and assured that the government would provide necessary assistance, including financial compensation, to those affected.
The South Goa district administration has also prohibited public access to the fire-affected market premises and the surrounding area within a 50-metre radius for two days, citing concerns over structural instability and potential safety hazards.
