Margao, 22 July: Madganvcho Awaaz & Youth Leader Prabhav Naik has written to the South Goa District Collector demanding that an FIR be registered against the Chief Officer of the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) for repeated dereliction of duty, alleging that a series of security lapses at municipal properties reflects a complete breakdown of accountability under the Council’s administration.
Naik said the Goa Human Resource Development Corporation has informed him that around 26 security guards have been deputed to the Margao Municipal Council. “If 26 security guards have indeed been provided to the MMC, where are they deployed? Are these security guards safeguarding public properties under the Municipal Council, or are they being diverted to guard the private properties of Defector Margao MLA turned PWD Minister Digambar Kamat?” he questioned, demanding a transparent disclosure of their deployment.
Referring to the recent freestyle fight inside the Margao Municipal Garden, Naik said the complete absence of security personnel had endangered the safety of citizens visiting the public garden. He added that he had immediately demanded registration of an FIR against the Chief Officer for failing to ensure security at the municipal property, and the incident clearly exposed serious administrative negligence.
Naik further pointed out that the subsequent defacement of the historic Lohia Maidan with slogans once again demonstrated the absence of security personnel at another important public property under the jurisdiction of the MMC. He also questioned how a former Chairperson allegedly entered the Sonsodo Garbage Treatment Plant, despite the Chief Officer claiming that a complaint had been lodged over the incident. “If security guards were deployed, why was the entry not prevented? If no security personnel were present, it only reinforces the continuing failure to secure vital municipal installations,” he said.
Stating that these incidents establish a continuing pattern of administrative failure, Naik urged the South Goa District Collector, in her capacity as District Magistrate, to direct the registration of an FIR against the Chief Officer and order a comprehensive inquiry into the deployment of the security personnel provided to the MMC. He also said the statements made by Defector Margao MLA turned PWD Minister Digambar Kamat regarding these incidents only underline the need for an independent inquiry into the functioning of the Municipal Council.
“The people of Margao deserve safe public spaces and an administration that is accountable for its actions and omissions. Those entrusted with protecting public property cannot escape responsibility when repeated security failures continue to occur,” Naik asserted, expressing confidence that the District Collector would take immediate steps to fix accountability and restore public confidence in the Municipal Council.
