Daijiworld Media Network - Mapusa
Mapusa, Jun 10: Public pressure on the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) intensified on Wednesday after two separate complaints were filed with the Mapusa Police, alleging that prolonged failures in the town's garbage management system contributed to the circumstances surrounding the death of 22-year-old Samuel Braganza of Gaunsavaddo.
Civil society group Together for Mapusa (TFM) and social worker Sanjay Barde independently approached the police, seeking criminal action against senior municipal officials and alleging administrative negligence in addressing the town's waste management crisis.
In a complaint signed by TFM president Mahesh Rane and general secretary Jitesh Kamat, the organisation sought the registration of an FIR against the MMC Administrator for alleged abetment of suicide and other offences.
TFM contended that despite repeated complaints from residents, authorities failed to resolve the garbage problem, resulting in unhygienic conditions, neighbourhood disputes, mental distress and increasing tensions within the community.
The organisation argued that the sequence of events leading to Samuel's death originated from a garbage-related dispute and alleged that the administration's continued inaction violated citizens' constitutional right to live in a clean and healthy environment under Article 21.
"The death of a young citizen cannot be treated as an isolated incident when it is linked to continued administrative failure," the complaint stated, while demanding a comprehensive investigation and the seizure of relevant municipal records.
Speaking after submitting the complaint, Rane said accountability should not be limited to individuals directly involved in the incident.
"When an entire system fails over a prolonged period and repeated complaints go unaddressed, responsibility must also be examined at the administrative level. We have requested the police to investigate whether the continued failure to address the garbage crisis created circumstances that contributed to this tragedy," he said.
In a separate complaint, social worker Sanjay Barde sought action against the MMC Chief Officer, questioning the effectiveness of the municipality's waste collection and disposal mechanisms despite residents paying taxes for the service.
Barde alleged that deficiencies in garbage management had adversely affected residents and fuelled tensions within local communities.
He urged the police to register an FIR against the Chief Officer, claiming that the failure to ensure an effective house-to-house waste collection system contributed to the circumstances that ultimately led to Samuel's death.
The twin complaints mark a further escalation in demands for accountability following the young man's death, which has sparked protests, candlelight vigils and widespread public outrage across Mapusa.
Police have acknowledged receiving both complaints. However, it remains unclear whether an FIR will be registered against any municipal officials.