Goa Police Files FIR Against MLA, RG Chief, and Villagers for TCP Office Theft and Trespass
In a significant development, the Goa police have officially registered a First Information Report (FIR) against St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar, Revolutionary Goans (RG) president Manoj Parab, and approximately 20 villagers from Siridao. The charges include alleged theft of 10 crucial files and criminal trespass at the Town and Country Planning (TCP) office located in Patto, Panaji.
Details of the Complaint and Accused Individuals
The complaint was lodged by Vinod Kumar Chandra, a town planner, who detailed the events that unfolded on February 20. According to Chandra, Borkar, along with the villagers—comprising both men and women—visited the TCP office to submit a formal representation. This representation concerned a contentious change of zone executed under Section 39A of the TCP Act within the Siridao village area.
In their submission, the group demanded the immediate revocation and cancellation of the zoning alteration that had been implemented in the St Andre constituency. After presenting their case to the chief town planner, the villagers reportedly refused to leave the premises, insisting they would remain until action was initiated on their representation.
Escalation of the Situation
Chandra further stated that the chief town planner promptly forwarded the representation to the government for directives on the same day. Borkar and the villagers were informed of this step and were requested to vacate the office, as necessary procedural action had been taken. However, they defiantly remained on the premises throughout the night of February 20-21, causing significant disruption.
During this overnight occupation, additional individuals, including Swapnesh Shrelekar, Manoj Parab, and other supporters, entered the office to bolster the agitators. Staff members reported that the protesters were moving freely through various sections of the office, even removing standing fans from different areas without consent for their use.
Police Intervention and Discovery of Theft
As the situation intensified, the chief town planner sought assistance from the Panaji Police Inspector and the mamlatdar to evacuate the agitators. The complaint highlighted that office staff were effectively restrained and obstructed from performing their regular duties due to the protesters' actions.
On February 21, police intervention successfully removed all agitators from the TCP office. Following their evacuation, the premises were securely locked. When staff resumed work on February 23, it was discovered that approximately 10 files from the TCP department were missing. Chandra asserted in his complaint that the agitators were responsible for the theft of these official documents.
Legal Action and Broader Implications
The FIR names several individuals alongside Borkar and Parab, including:
- Vasu Kunkolkar
- Tushar Gawas
- Ajay Kholkar
- Bhupesh Shirodkar
- Trupti Bhakal
- Smita Shirodkar
- Regna Kundaikar
- Swapnesh Shrelekar
- Hanumant Shirodkar
- Nali Kankonkar
- Manish Kankonkar
- Sham Kunkolkar
- Sunil Kankonkar
- Nikita Shirodkar
Chandra has formally requested that an FIR be registered against all involved agitators and that necessary legal actions be pursued. This incident underscores ongoing tensions regarding zoning changes in Goa and raises concerns about the security of government offices and documents.
The case is now under investigation, with authorities examining the allegations of theft and trespass to determine appropriate legal outcomes.
