VASCO: Goenchea Raponkarancho Ekvott (GRE) has said that the stay granted by the High Court on the demolition orders issued by Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority proved that the demolition orders were wrong and illegal.

Claiming that that the fishermen from Katem Baina supported the BJP during the 2012 assembly and 2014 Lok Sabha elections, GRE Secretary Olencio Simoes hit out at the government for allegedly betraying the trust of poor fishermen.

Simoes said that as per CRZ notification 2011, the State government has to constitute district level committees under the chairmanship of the district magistrate containing at least three representatives of local traditional coastal communities including from fisher-folk and regularize the houses all the fishermen which were built prior to 1991 without any formal approvals.

Despite the protection granted in 2011 CRZ notification, he said, “The State administration is illegally trying to demolish structures located at Katem Baina. However, the High Court as well as the NGT came to their rescue and ordered a status quo.”

“Firstly, we welcome the High Court order and relief to all 61 fishermen houses at Katem Baina. It is sad that after having an elected government and after even working for it in 2012 and 2014 elections, today the same party is not protecting the traditional dwellers of the coast be it in Goa or in India,” Simoes said, addressing a press onference at Katem Baina, on Saturday.

Simoes further said, “In Karnataka Regularization Act 1991, ‘unauthorized construction’ means any construction made without obtaining a building licence. Therefore, we demand from the government to bring necessary changes in the CRZ notification 2011 or in Goa Building Rules 2008 and keep all demolition orders and regularization application in abeyance until the necessary amendments are brought in immediately. Failing which, the state will witness law order situation in the coming days.”

Hitting out at local MLA and Minister Milind Naik, Baina Ramponkar & Fishing Canoe Owners Society General Secretary Sadiq Sheikh said, “Naik has done nothing for the benefit of the fishermen. He has been good only at demolishing 205 houses of innocent and poor 2000 voters of Baina and now is after 400 traditional fishermen and others at Katem Baina for his benefits.”

“Our MLA has made special arrangement to keep his dogs in shelter. However, he has been trying hard to displace human beings,” Sheikh said.

 and demanded that the government regularize the structures of fishermen instead of going for demolition, which he said, would displace hundreds of poor fishermen.