Panaji: More than 50 volunteers of AAP forced the casino operators to remove the gypsum walls and allow them to pass through.
AAP has said that when the two layers of walls were removed, it revealed extensive electrical, plumbing and other illegal work that had been installed right in the middle of the public footpath, while pedestrians were forced to walk in heavy traffic.
The casino operators assured to completely remove the structure which has been built on a raised plinth, and houses an entry lounge, a ticketing & reception desk, and even an ATM!! AAP warned that if the casino does not completely restore the public footpath to its original condition within one week, it will bring the citizens of Panaji on the street and remove it themselves.
AAP also criticised the BJP and Congress for being hand in glove with casino operators to illegally take over the city of Panaji. The city languishes in floods, garbage & traffic snarls, while the BJP-led Govt is spending crores of public money to provide jetties, parking and other facilities to more and bigger casinos. The Congress is doing nothing to stop this despite being the largest party and opposition, and while they did a token protest at the jetty a few days, for obvious reasons, they did not target the casino for such a flagrant violation of law.
The AAP severely castigated the CCP for being a rubber stamp for casinos. It alleged that the CCP only flexes its muscles at the aam aadmi, clearing Gaddos without making alternate arrangements and depriving people of their livelihood, or shutting down the popular Konkan Fruit Festival at the last minute under pressure from vested interests.
AAP has filed a complaint with the Registrar of the High Court, asking them to take cognisance of this flagrant violation as contempt of the HC order in Writ Petition 148 of 1997.
