########################################################################## # If Goanet stops reaching you, contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # Want to check the archives? http://www.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##########################################################################
Headline: 600 Kannidaga families pay the price for Goa's Bina Beach project Source: NewIndPress.com. Wednesday June 16 2004 at http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEK20040616022106&Title=Southern+News+%2D+Karnataka&rLink=0 Full text: HUBLI: Over 600 Kannadiga families, mostly labourers, have been displaced from their houses in Bina Beach area of Vasco in Goa, according to reports reaching here. These Kannadiga families, mostly hailing from different parts of North Karnataka and who migrated to Goa over three decades ago in search of work, had settled near the Bina Beach in Vasco. Their displacement followed the demolition of their huts by the district administration in the name of clearing the red light area. While most of the displaced families have been virtually thrown to the streets of Vasco, some have sought temporary shelter in vacant areas and abandoned structures. Their miserable plight has been compounded by the incessant rains lashing the State. With their household articles destroyed along with their huts in the demolition operation, the families have been rendered destitute, said K.Y.Hosmani, president of Vasco-based Goa Kannadigara Sangha (Association of Goa Kannadigas). The demolition operation was said to be in view of the Bina Project planned by the Goan Government to develop the beach into a tourist centre. Over 2,000 families have been staying in a colony of huts near the beach for the last 30-40 years. The project was stalled for many years following a High Court direction against the demolition. The Goan Government had subsequently sought the High Court's permission to demolish the colony on the plea that it was a red light area. The High Court had permitted the demolition of only 250 huts identified as owned by sex-workers. However, in Monday's operation, over 850 huts were destroyed. While most of the sex-workers whose huts were identified for demolition had left the colony, it was the poor labour families settled there since many years who had to pay the price, according to Hosmani. He has dashed off a letter to Karnataka Chief Minister Dharam Singh urging him to take up the issue of these poor displaced Kannadigas with his counterpart in Goa Manohar Parikar and ensure their immediate rehabilitation. Meanwhile, leaders of different political parties in Goa, including South Goa MP and former chief minister Churchill Alemao and several social activists, have visited the displaced families and expressed their solidarity with them while condemning the Government action. The demolition squad officials had to face stiff resistance from several local political leaders and social activists during the demolition. At one stage, the police had to resort to a lathicharge, lobbing of teargas shells and arrest of leaders before going ahead with the demolition work, reports said. ============================= Forwarded by Eddie Fernandes
