Aldona MLA Slams Government Over Arpora Fire, Demands Judicial Inquiry
MAPUSA: Aldona MLA Adv. Carlos Alvares Ferreira has strongly condemned the tragic fire incident at Club Birch by Romeo Lane in Arpora last night, which resulted in the devastating loss of 25 innocent lives. The MLA criticised the State Government for what he described as “systematic administrative failures” that led to the disaster and has formally demanded a Judicial Inquiry headed by a retired judge.
The tragedy comes amid reports from the Arpora Sarpanch that the nightclub was operating with illegal construction, despite demolition orders already issued—an operation that continued after a stay was secured through an appeal.
Ferreira questioned the efficacy and integrity of the internal inquiry ordered by the Chief Minister.
“I don’t trust the government inquiry. It will be nothing but an inquiry meant for a cover-up. I demand a judicial inquiry headed by a retired judge to investigate this tragic incident,” he said.
He further questioned how the club continued operations.
“How was the club, claiming to have no construction licence, allowed to operate even for a day?” Ferreira asked, stressing the distinction between demolition orders against illegal structures and permissions to conduct business within them.
Seeking full transparency, he added:
“How did they get permission? Which authorities granted it, and based on what documents? Were haftas being paid at different levels?”
Ferreira pointed out claims that the club is located in a waterbody—clearly visible on Google Maps—calling it “a clear case of systematic collapse of administration in Goa, which has cost innocent lives.”
He said this tragedy “is nothing short of money deals which are clearly evident,” adding,
“These illegal outlets cannot run without political blessings from bottom to top.”
On the fire safety aspect, the MLA demanded immediate accountability from all responsible departments—Panchayat, Excise and Fire.
“The owners, operators and the department also have to be held accountable,” he said, questioning the role of the Fire Safety Department.
“Is the department only concerned with giving permissions and stipulating conditions? Who checks compliance? Only when a fire breaks out do they come, inspect, write a report and blame owners and operators?”
Ferreira directly blamed the local body, stating,
“I blame the Arpora panchayat for allowing the club to function. I am sure someone in the panchayat is receiving monthly hafta to allow the club to operate.”
He also criticised conflicting reports on the cause of the fire—pointing to the DGP’s initial claim of a cylinder blast versus later reports of an electric pyro gun. He questioned whether the police were “so incompetent as to give wrong data to the top, which then passed wrong information to national media.”
Ferreira asked,
“Will the Chief Minister order immediate sealing of all premises being run illegally without any construction licence?”
He added that “People in the government and panchayat have blood on their hands,” warning that the incident would impact tourism and public confidence.
Concluding, he said:
“We don’t want lives to be lost because of cost-cutting or the complicity of authorities—either by granting illegal permissions or by inaction when proactive steps are needed. Will the administration wake up only when someone near and dear dies? We act only after disaster strikes.
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