From Sanjay Borkar in Margao
for Daijiworld Media Network - Goa (MB)

Margao, Jul 7: As the Margao Municipal Council tried to take action against, it created a big outcry as a result of which the action could not be completed.

Some NGO's and vigilant citizens of Margao had appealed the MMC chief officer to take action against these vendors and shop keepers, who had illegally encroached upon the public place, thus creating hurdles for people to walk in the city. Taking cognizance of these appeals from the society, MMC acted for two days and seized goods worth about Rs 1.5 lac, from illegally encroached shops.

MMC workers alleged that as police did not support them (MMC) on third consecutive day of drive, they could not act against illegal shops and vendors.

MMC faced stiff resistance from fruit vendors in the Gandhi market, culminating in a gherao of chief officer Yashwant Tawade later.

Gandhi market vendors said that MMC officers had demarcated a clear-cut line for the vendors to do business, and questioned as to how their activity be termed encroachment.

It is being said that whenever MMC tries to start the drive against encroachment, political leaders put pressure on MMC staff not to act. This time also some politicians appeared to have wielded their influence and thus the drive came to an end.