VASCO: Tears and abuses against local politicians ranted through Khariawaddo on Thursday as the occupants of the 66 demolished structures were left homeless. "We thought the demolition drive was only a rumour," said Abdul Samir whose family of 57 lived in 16 rented rooms at the jetty. Abdul Shaheen, a resident of 25 years, said, "No one, not even our landlord intimated us about the demolition."
Sitting by her side in the hot sun, neighbour Aisha Kadri said, "Our children are hungry and thirsty. They are asking us for food. From where are we to get it?" Residents said police knocked on their doors at 7am asking them to vacate. Those who refused to leave saw their electricity and water connections disconnected.
Said Samir, a worker on a fishing trawler, "Over 80% of us earn our livelihood from fishing. The drive has not only taken away out shelter but has denied us our livelihood too." While many of the displaced people were seen trying to find shelter for the night-some decided to spend the night at the railway station-most of the shops in the city remained closed to avoid any kind of trouble.
Senior citizen Shanta Kakodi summed up the mood in Khariawaddo when she said, "The politicians who came to ask us for votes and who promised to help us in our bad times are nowhere to be seen now that we are in trouble."
What ever may be illegal is illegal, no citizen should support any illigalities. First of all these illegal structures should not have been allowed to crop up. This is again people in collusion with politician build illegal things and when the demolition get it's way same people raise hue and cry. Illegal structures should not be allowed at any circumstances. Now the same yard stick should apply for all sulms be in Mouvin nagar in Sancuale, Moti dongor, fukat nagar etc. With these illegal shanties and slums Goa's beauty has been ruined to filth.
ReplyDeleteBab Vicente, totally agree with you, these Illegalities should be stopped in their Roots, cause as years pass on by then they will fight for legal rights...i know a slum area near Panjim Fire Brigade, there was actually a Bridge Path way to be built there, but these Ghantis have been living there for years and refuse to move out, now a days you’d be surprised they have Electricity, Water Connection, Gas, etc. how can the Government give this to them on illegal lands? Then its but obvious that they will not move out from there, imagine one of us Goans going into the City and start putting up tents and start living, would be survive… no way, the Government will see to that we won’t and the Cops will take us into their Lockups and Beat us to Death!
ReplyDeleteThe Ghantis get our Lands for Free, and we Goans have to pay through out Sweat and Blood to even buy a small piece of land… even farm lands can be converted by the Politicians in a flick of a finger.
Our Cops and Politicians have more respect for the Ghantis then us Goans it’s a fact and we have to believe it,