Goemkarponn desk
VASCO: Indian Navy states the allegations that access to Ayyappa Temple, Varunapuri, has been blocked. Navy claims that access to the Ayyappa temple has been through Ram mandir gate.
As per the statement issued by the Indian Navy, access to the Ayyappa temple at Varunapuri has always been through the Ram Mandir gate; and this passage still provides unhindered access to the temple. This gate also includes access to other religious structures in the vicinity _viz_ St Mary’s Church, Kali temple, Ram Mandir, and the PWD reservoir.
Further, the press statement says that the Court of South Goa, District Judge – 1, by an order in civil suit 06/21, has restrained the construction of compound wall in survey no 25, adjoining the civil area. Accordingly, construction of the compound wall in survey no 25 has been stopped, and access to highway for residents of landlocked properties is allowed through naval land and Ram mandir road. Presently the access for only four landlocked houses has been temporarily affected due to ongoing construction work, and hence access from Naval KG gate has been permitted for these families. The road along which earthwork is being done is on survey number 26, inside the defense land, wherein no court proceedings are in progress.
Further, it would be pertinent to mention that about 245 families cannot occupy houses. The authorities cannot provide them a secure campus due to various frivolous cases being filed against the Navy on an A-1 defense land. This causes loss to the government and harassment to the families of naval personnel appointed at Goa in various operational appointments, thereby denying them peace of mind while they are engaged in national security duties.