Goa government harassing and displacing tradional fishermen We, the traditional fishermen and our families have been conducting fishing activity for generations. Over the last few years, we have been affected due to Mechanised Fishing since it has depleted fish in our waters. We have been living from hand to mouth for the last few years as Mechanised Fishing and Rampant Real Estate Development on our coastline. We belong to a weaker section of Society and therefore, have been Exploited in the past by different stronger sections of Society and now even the Establishment. Various Ulterior Motives and Malafide Intentions of people who belong to a stronger section of Society and The Government have been harassing us with the intention of Displacing our Income and Habitation.
Now, The Government of Goa has sent us a Notification to acquire a very small piece of land that is, our only source of income. This Notification is in violation of the Environment Protection Act and in Violation of the CRZ laws which has specifically in the January 2011 Notification given special Relief to our Community, i.e., the Fishing Community. The Notification states “That the land is LIKELY to be needed for Recreational purpose and making of a GARDEN,” when there already exist one and therefore rendering us LANDLESS, OCCUPATIONLESS AND KILLING THE AGE OLD TRADITION OF TRADITIONAL FISHING AND FISHERMEN (RAMPONKARS) FOREVER. This shows the insensivity of The Government towards our Income and Livelihood and is acquiring our land for Leisure, Recreation and a Garden which defies all logic and in no interest of whosoever, as fundamentally no Income can be ever displaced for Leisure. It only goes to prove that this unaffordable (Cash Strapped CCP), Illegal GARDEN (CRZ VIOLATION Refer Annexure I ) is the perverse plan of some of those in Government and the vested interest of a Certain Person in The Government, and not that of The Government as a whole. It is amazing how the acquisition law is perversely used by those in power for their own vested interest and malafide intent. It is also amazing when the Central Government, in Delhi has provided a Law to protect us, vide the CRZ notification of January 2011(Refer Annexure II), how can The Local Government and Establishment seem to be insensitive to the same? It is our Humble Submission and Prayer for your support, that we be relieved from the above mentioned Notification and Reinstated Honourably and be allowed to Continue our Traditional Activities and use our only Parcel of Land in Peace and Harmony. This is also a Violation of Human Rights as well, we will be compelled to approach Human Rights Commission and all other Competent Authorities including Ramponkars Association for Readdressal and Relief. We are in fear for having taken up this matter as the persons involved are Powerful, Influential and have a Reputation for using and resorting strong hand tactics and Violence through their goons and thugs therefore, we had not voiced our opinion earlier. Please make sure we are protected as we are afraid for the lives of our near and dear ones. Posted by: Ryan Alexandre Semelhago on the Facebook Group http://www.facebook.com/groups/123733054404895/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
