VASCO: Authorities on Friday evicted 60 migrants from SAG Indoor Complex at Bhute-Bhat, Vasco, as they were reluctant to move out of the complex after occupying the premises since the last three months.
Mormugao Deputy Collector Gaurish Shankwalkar along with Mormugao Mamlatdar Laximikant Desai, Mormugao DySP Laurence D’Souza, Vasco PI Sagar Ekoskar and about 100 police personnel descended at the SAG Indoor Sports Complex at Bhute Bhat and directed the migrants, who were housed in the complex since the last three months, to vacate the premises.
However, the migrants warned Mormugao Deputy Collector Shankwalkar and other police officials that if evicted, they would return to Baina beach.
“We are cleaning the gutters, toilets and we also work at construction projects and make a living. If our services are not required, let the Goans take up these jobs to keep the construction work going and Goa clean,” shouted a migrant, when the authorities directed them to vacate the relief camp.
As the migrants were initially reluctant to vacate the sports complex, Shankwalkar with the help of megaphone directed them to vacate the relief camps and allotted a grace time of five minutes, failing which the migrants would be forcefully evicted with the aid of a police force.
Sensing trouble, the migrants slowly started moving out with their belongings, but not before warning the government officials that they would return to Baina beach and start living there. The migrants demanded proper rehabilitation as they have no place to stay. “We do not have any place to go and even the Karnataka government is not helping us. We are left helpless and without any place to stay,” said a migrant.
