Today on 14th November 2007 the birthday of Chacha Nehru had a nasty surprise in store for the People of Cacra, Tiswadi, Goa, India. Goons came and forcefully blocked and erected gate on public road connecting Cacra and Nauxi villages on Zuari River shores. When the Cacra Nagrik Vikas Samiti went in to inquire they were told to contact the local panch who is supposed to know everything about the matter. He however was not traceable today and his mobile was not connectible. This fresh assault on the Cacra villagers and Goa's tribal population - Gawdas comes at a time when there is increasing protests of the conquests of the Goa's coast by the builders and Real estate agents for tourism and allied purposes. The entire coast in the region of Cacra, Nauxi, Bambolim, Siridao, Odxel, Mariel, Aivao and Dona Paula is under pressure due to this ruthless onslaught wherein State is actively siding with the builders. Looking at the way the things are proceedings it is not very difficult to guess the near future of Goa: On Coast due to Real Estate and in the hinterlands due to open cast iron ore mining lobby, there is going to be the situation of mass homelessness with repercussions of its own. Few months earlier same builders tried to erect the gate but the angry villagers had brought down the construction of Gate on Public Road. Cacra villagers use this space for their fishing activity.
The landlords who got this land registered in their name with usurious intentions during erstwhile Portuguese Colonial Period that ranged from 1510 up to 1961 are involved in selling the same to builders - a familiar pattern that is visible across the State of Goa. They are known as 'Bhatcars', landlords who are the in the forefront of Sale of Goa for corporates. Cacra villagers were forced into fishing after they were occupationally displaced from agriculture when Goa University was set up in their lands. Now looks like they are also compelled to do away with their fishing occupation. What is surprising is that it is all happening in the knowledge and blessings of the powers that be in Goa. The entire coast is under assault from the rich and famous - the film stars, Sports Stars, Underworld and what not. The need of the hour is to evolve fitting reply to the Corporate invasion. Link with pictures: http://mandgoa.blogspot.com/2007/11/builders-put-gate-blokade-on-cacra.html -- www.mandgoa.blogspot.com MAND An adivasi-rights resource centre, An initiative of Gawda, Kunbi, Velip, and Dhangar Federation (GAKUVED) "Hari Smriti" 381, Dhulapi, Corlim, Ilhas, Goa. Pincode: 403 110 Visit my blog at http://www.openspaceforum.net/twiki/tiki-view_blog.php?blogId=17 _________________________________________________________________ Search from any Web page with powerful protection. Get the FREE Windows Live Toolbar Today! http://toolbar.live.com/?mkt=en-in
