BELAGAVI
Sixteen of the 22 structures may have been demolished in Sangolda on Friday, but the anger was palpable far away among Kannadigas in the Belagavi region.
Acting on the order of the High Court, the Administrator of the Comunidades (North) on Friday demolished the illegal structures, mainly belonging to families of the Kannadigas originally hailing from Vijaypur and Koppala districts in North Karnataka.
Furious over the demolition of houses, Kannada organisations are planning to stage an agitation as a mark of protest. “I strongly oppose the eviction of Kannadiga families from Sangolda who have been living there for the last 40 years. These families migrated from North Karnataka districts,” said Ashok Chandargi, Member of Karnataka Border Development Authority.
Chandargi, who is also the President of Belagavi District Kannada Organisations Action Committee, also alleged that silence maintained by Goan authorities is also equally responsible for the eviction.
“In 2014-2015 also, Kannadiga families living near Baina beach were forcibly evicted. If there is a court direction for eviction, the Goa government could have made alternative arrangements like providing Janata houses for displaced families,” said Chandargi.
“According to information available, the Goa government is systematically rejecting applications seeking Janata houses of the Goa Housing Board. On Saturday, I will petition Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramiah urging him to take up the issue with the Chief Minister of Goa and find a solution.”
He also appealed to Goan authorities to take a humanitarian stance and try to rehabilitate these displaced families.
“Kannadigas residing in Goa have made valuable contributions to the development of Goa through their hard work as labourers and at different levels. It is the responsibility of the Goa Government to take care of them now,” Chandargi added.
