Team Herald
MARGAO: Tension prevailed at Colva Beach on Friday when traditional fishermen clashed with government authorities who were carrying out an inspection of two huts on the beach.
Based on a complaint filed by locals, the Salcete Mamlatdar along with officials from the Land Survey Department, PWD, TCP, Police and Forest Department, carried out the inspection of the huts owned by Colva panch Domingos Rodrigues. In complaint letters sent to the government including the Tourism Department and Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA), objections were raised about migrant workers allegedly staying at these huts, on rent, and defecating in the open as well as the alleged illegal electrical connection.
Sisto Rodrigues accused Domingos of using political influence and said that Domingos had no papers to prove that the huts were legal. Sisto added that he would approach the higher courts and the National Green Tribunal (NGT) if required.
However, Domingos and other traditional fishermen denied all charges and questioned why only their two huts were inspected when there are numerous other huts on the beach. Rodrigues said the huts are being used by the fishermen to store their boats and nets and this has been the practice of his ancestors as well.
Alice Fernandes, a senior fisherwoman, backed Domingos and pointed out that the Tourism Department, on whose land these huts are situated, had allowed their huts to be there for generations. She recalled how former Chief Minister (late) Manohar Parrikar had personally assured the fishing community that no action will be taken against their huts.
