NAVY HARASSES US SAYS HE LOCALS OF BIMBVEL ISLAND

VASCO: It's just two families who have been calling a small portion near the Bimbvel beach their home since generations. However, over the last few months-and especially since the Navy's controversy-ridden attempt to acquire the beach-the seven members of the Dourado family and the two-member Landez household claim their lives have become a living hell.

They allege that relatives, friends and even workers-the families are ramponkars (traditional fishermen)-have stopped visiting them for fear of being harassed by the gun-wielding guards at the entrance to the naval colony (the two homes are at the end of the road that passes through the colony).

Earlier this week, Damacian Dourado, 28, alleged that the guards took away and refused to return his identity card (mandatory to enter the defence property).

"On Tuesday evening, I hired a motorcycle taxi to take me home. The guards, however, stopped me at the gate and took away my identity card for not wearing a helmet. They did this even though I told them that I was going to walk home (1.5 km from the gate)," alleged Dourado. He added that he got his card back only after chasing naval officials for two days.

When contacted, Navy PRO Mahesh Chandra Joshi said he had no idea about the incident. With regard to the problems faced by the residents, Joshi said, "If the residents at Bimbvel have any problem they are welcome to discuss the same with us. Till date they have not met us to explain their difficulties."

Incidentally, since 1990 the Dourados have sought justice in three different courts for the right to access their home.

They won the case in the mamlatdar's court as well as before the additional collector, South Goa. When the matter reached the high court in 2003, the court ruled that the road which forms an access to the property of A A Pereira and others has not been acquired by the Navy and so does not form a part of the defence area.

"For security reasons it is perfectly permissible for the Navy to fence the defence area belonging to it but not the public road," ruled the court.

The Navy was directed to allow visitors to the two homes by noting down their particulars at the gate and by having the same details verified by the families. "In spite of doing all the necessary formalities, the Navy is still harassing us," said Dourado. "This has increased in the last 6-7 months since the acquisition issue has come up," he added.

With the approximately 25 workers that help the ramponkars with the catch of fish allegedly being harassed by the guards, the families claim their livelihood is also at stake. "We don't have any objection to the acquisition of the beach by the Navy, but they should at least give us a rehabilitation package somewhere near the shore so that we can continue to earn our living," said Damacian's father, Inacio Dourado.

"They are trying everything possible to get us to leave this place, but unfortunately, we have no where else to go," added his son. (TNN)