Team Herald
Margao: Another beggar who was living on the streets of Margao died of COVID-19 infection. The police and the local administration has however not learnt the lessons as these beggars are moving around selling masks and seat covers to the people.
A beggar was found lying on the streets of Margao last week and was taken to hospital but was found dead. Another beggar who died on the street last week was tested and his reports have turned out to be positive which is the 28th coronavirus death in Goa.
Livelihood is one thing and life is another. It is agreed that the beggars selling the masks and seat covers are making a living out of that. However, little do the unsuspecting people know whether these persons are carriers of the virus or not. On Wednesday there were hoards of beggars and rag pickers who have become peddlers of masks and seat covers.
Today, a famous hotel owner from Margao market areas has died of coronavirus infection. A home guard from Margao Police Station has been found positive and certain places of the police station were sanitised. After the death of the first beggar in Margao the market areas were sanitised by the authorities. However, there is no clue on just how many such beggars are roaming around as the carriers of the virus. While the ambiguity continues the police and the local administration seems to be napping as these beggars are going around on traffic signals and other places begging and coming in contact with people on two and four-wheelers. All these beggars sit on the footpath of the municipal garden from where several thousand people travel every day.
To understand the seriousness of the problem Herald spoke to Auda Viegas, convenor of Bailancho Ekvott. Auda said “I feel sorry for them. The State should have had a shelter for the actual beggars and not the ones who have been dumped on the streets. Now, they are going to spread the virus across the community,” said Viegas.
When asked who should be taking the responsibility of them Viegas said, “The police should have come down heavily on the beggars at the traffic signals. The Margao Municipal Council should have taken action against those who are living in small shanties on open grounds and begging on signals”.
She warned that if this is not stopped this will turn out to be a big menace for Margao.
Vivek Naik, a shop owner from Margao and from the Cine Lata areas has witnessed, faced and reported the issues of the ragpickers and beggars in his vicinity for several years. However, as death after death pile up in these areas Vivek said, “This person (2nd dead beggar) who was sleeping on the footpath near Cine Lata died yesterday. After several requests, MLA, Councillors and Council have not taken any action against these migrants who are now the real threat to our society”.
