Daijiworld Media Network - Hubballi (MS)

Hubballi, Mar 13: Time and the anti-Kannadiga policy of the Goa government has reportedly caused difficulties for people of Karnataka origin living in Goa.

Now, the Kannadigas are shaken by the POGO (Person Of Goa Origin) movement that is formed by the Goan government to protect the interests of native Goans. The people of Karnataka feel that Goa is not safe for them anymore.

For the past six months, Kannadigas who have left their state and are living in Goa from four to six decades, the policy of the government of Goa has become a shocker.

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Former convener of AAP party of Goa Manoj Parab has started POGO movement and declared the group as 'Revolutionary Goans' fighting for the life of native Goans. They have termed this move as the fight for the liberation of Goa.

POGO movement is pressurizing the Goan government in lines of the article 370/1 which had given special status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. They are saying that only those who are living in Goa before 1961 are the native Goans. All others should be declared as migrants. All the government jobs should be reserved for native Goans. Migrants should not be permitted to buy property or vehicles in Goa and also should not be given a voter's identity card.

The main demand of POGO is that the migrants should be considered as tourists and should not be allowed to stay in Goa for more than six months.

The present population of Goa is 13.60 lac. Out of this 40% are migrants. Kannadigas constitute four lac in numbers among the migrant population. Many have taken part in the Goa liberation fight also. There are many from Karnataka who has been employed in Marmagoa port trust and other industries in the 70s, 80s and 90s. Their children have become Goans and have not accustomed to the tradition of Karnataka. Now they are scared that they will be asked to leave Goa forever.

Govind Lamani, gram panchayat member of Sankola says, "My parents came to Goa three decades ago. Their contribution to the development of Goa is immense. Now some people are fighting against us for their selfishness. They are conducting atrocities on us and are planning to send us out of Goa by force. We have given a complaint against them to the police. Now we are living under police protection."