Belagavi: Despite Karnataka's appeals, the Goa government continues to demolish houses of Kannadigas on Baina beach, Vasco, where they have lived for around four to five decades.
Goa on Thursday ignored Industries Minister, R V Deshpande's pleas to rehabilitate the Kannadigas before demolishing their houses as they have been virtually thrown out on the streets.
Although the Goa government was supplying power and water to all the alleged illegal inhabitants of Baina beach for years, it began to clear them in 2004, contending that the land in question belonged to private parties.
During its first demolition drive over 400 families of Kannadigas were removed but no alternative shelter was provided to them despite the appeals of the then Karnataka government and various human rights organisations of both states.
Later, coming under pressure from Karnataka and various political parties, Goa halted the demolitions, but relaunched the drive a few days ago to hand over the land to its owners. The around 1000 houses on Baina beach, which are still occupied by Kannadigas, are also expected to be cleared soon although the local authorities continue to provide them power and water.
Many pro-Kannada organisations in Belagavi district have launched protests and agitations since the latest demolitions began, urging the state government to intervene immediately and ensure that the displaced are rehabilitated by Goa.
