Panaji: The social organ of the Church in Goa has termed the recent demolition of some 200 houses of the poor as an indiscriminate use of state power.
The eviction of the helpless and poor reveals a deep prejudice and material discrimination against impoverished citizens and the homeless in this state, states Fr Savio Fernandes, executive secretary of the Council for Social Justice and Peace (CSJP).
Such abuse of power shows contempt for the ‘fundamental right to life’ and utter disrespect for human dignity of the poor and migrants in Goa, the priest said on October 1.
The government demolished the houses in the last week of September.
The Church has demanded that the evicted families, who have been living at Baina for three decades, be provided rightful alternative housing including food, health facilities, education and means of subsistence.
It has also reminded the state government about its duty to inform affected people well in advance, to agree with them on a plan for re-housing with secure tenure and provide adequate compensation as well as reparations in the case of forced evictions.
The Council has alleged that the government land has been victimized to settle political scores and open up land for vested commercial interests, reported Goa News.
“It is a matter of shame that Goa, which prides itself of being a cultured State in the country and excelling on development parameters, does not even possess the basic human decency and compassion when dealing with the poor and migrants,” said Fr Fernandes.
The CSJP has also made public findings of the fact-finding visit to Baina after demolition:
– Most of the families whose houses have been demolished were residing in this locality for over 30 years
– In some cases, one of the spouses in the family was Goan which again contradicts the elitist public perception that it was a purely migrant settlement.
– They were provided with basic amenities of water and electricity by the State Government.
– The families were prevented from getting sufficient time to exhaust all legal options to safeguard their rights
– No proposals of re-housing options and such other rightful amenities were offered to the affected citizens.
– Women, elderly citizens and children were the worst victims of such inhuman action of the Government.
– Women are bread winners in many families, with alcoholic husbands, elderly and differently abled children to support.
– Many of the children have not been to school for the last couple of days as their school uniforms, shoes and books have been buried in the debris.
– With a monthly one-room rental of minimum Rs 6000 and security deposit of Rs 30,000, It’s next to impossible to find affordable shelter.
-This has forced them into staying in the open at the demolition site without food and clothing thus exposing the women and children to health and security risks.
– While there are government shelters constructed for alternative housing to those evicted which remain unoccupied in the city, the present families have been denied even a temporary roof over their head.
Earlier on September 29, the Communist Party of India-Goa condemned the demolition of 157 houses at Baina and demanded that the state rehabilitate all 207 families whose homes were demolished.
“It is the most inhumane on the part of the government to demolish the houses,” the party’ state secretary Christopher Fonseca said.
CPI pointed out that the government does not show the same fervor while demolishing other illegal buildings and structures such as resorts and mansions.