the goan I network
MARGAO
Shops and business establishments run by members of the Banjara community continued to remain closed in Benaulim for the fifth consecutive day, with owners sticking to their decision not to reopen the shops leased out to the migrants, even as a local resident lodged his complaint with the Benaulim panchayat and Colva police against unknown persons illegally staying in the panchayat jurisdiction and carrying out business activities without permission.
Colva police station in-charge, Rahul Parab informed that the police is in receipt of a complaint lodged by a resident of Benaulim on Saturday.
In the meantime, a Benaulim resident Francis “Pele” Fernandes further informed that while all the 10 shops and establishments run by the migrants remained closed on Saturday as well, he said that three of the migrants have left the shops by taking away
their goods.
In another development, a resident of Grand Pedda-Benaulim Grrayfans Fernandes lodged a complaint with the Benaulim panchayat and Colva police that the migrants have been staying in the village in unhygienic conditions and without sanitation and garbage disposal facilities, important for a livelihood.
In his complaint, Grrayfans further claimed that one person from Moti Dongor, is presently carrying out scrap business in the jurisdiction of Benaulim panchayat.
He pointed out that the person has been allowing others to reside in scrap business place without proper documentation, adding that the business has been carried out without taking proper safety measures and permissions from the authorities.
While requesting the panchayat to initiate necessary action against the resident of Moti Dongor, he called for the documentation of
all migrants residing in the village.
Local residents of Benaulim have decided not to reopen the shops leased out to members of the Banjara community till they mount pressure and stop one Vassu Laamani from plying his taxi in the village. The local residents have not only complained against Vassu for plying taxi, but for allegedly issuing threats to the locals.
