Karnataka - Mangalore   

Eviction of Kannadigas in Goa opposed

By Our Staff Correspondent

MANGALORE, JULY 8. Members of the Congress under the aegis of the Mangalore North Block Congress Committee staged a demonstration in front of the office of the Deputy Commissioner here on Thursday against the eviction of Kannadigas from the Baina Beach in Goa.

They later submitted a memorandum to the Headquarters' Assistant to the Deputy Commissioner to be forwarded to the Chief Minister, N. Dharam Singh.

K. Suresh Ballal, president of the committee, who addressed the protesters, criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Government in Goa for bulldozing the dwellings of Kannadigas on the Baina Beach.

He sought to remind the Goa Chief Minister, Manohar Parikkar, that the people displaced were "Indians first and Kannadigas next" and termed the action unwarranted.

He expressed fear that the action would "inspire" other State governments to displace Kannadigas from their respective land.

This, in the long run, would hamper national integrity, he said.

Mr. Ballal noted that such a parochial attitude towards people of other States was a dangerous trend and should be curbed immediately.

Mr. Ballal also lauded the steps taken by the Congress Government in Karnataka in sending a delegation to Goa to meet the displaced Kannadigas and assuage their feelings.

He urged the State Government to take steps to rehabilitate the displaced Kannadigas. It was important for the Government to come to the rescue of Kannadigas whenever they were in trouble.

The protesters also forwarded a copy of the memorandum to the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, and Mr. Parikkar.

The in-charge President of the Dakshina Kannada District Congress Committee, Sadananda Poonja; the Chairman of the Karnataka Cashew Development Corporation, K. Tharanath Shetty; the Mayor, Purandaradasa Kuloor; and Congress corporators participated in the protest.

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