BELAGAVI: More than 200
Kannadigas
living in Goa on Saturday submitted a memorandum to deputy commissioner N Jayaram, requesting the
Karnataka government to provide protection to them in the neighbouring state. Residing in Tisk Usagaon and surrounding areas, the appellants said they are being harassed and assaulted by Goans.
In an attack on Kannadigas on October 15, miscreants ransacked three bikes, a car and a car scrap depot at Tisk Usagaon. The memorandum alleged: "Over the past five decades, we have been residing in Tisk and surrounding areas. Some Goans attacked our residential areas and threatened us with dire consequences."
They said that no action has been taken against the miscreants despite a case filed at
Ponda
police station. The accused were identified in the complaint. In the complaint filed under sections 143,147, 504, 506(II), 323, 324, 307 and 397 and so on, Gangavva
Dodamani
alleged that a mob of 42 persons, headed by
Shailendra Gawas
, caused damage to properties worth over Rs 10 lakh and stole cash and golden ornaments worth Rs 5 lakh. In the counter-complaint, Kannadiga youths have been booked under the Goonda Act.
Manjunath Dodamani, who sustained severe injuries in the said incident, claimed that a group of Konkani-speaking youths attacked the houses of Kannadigas and shouted: "You Kannadigas, leave Goa." "They ransacked nearly 8-10 houses and burnt Karnataka vehicles and a scrap depot," said Dodamani.
The Kannadigas said that a few people have been opposing their settlement in Tisk.