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----- Forwarded message from "President\\(sgpiag\\)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ----- Date: Tue, 22 Jun 2004 17:37:37 +0100 (BST) From: "President\\(sgpiag\\)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> A representative of our regd NGO based in Margao with jurisdiction over the entire South Goa Parliamentary constituency visited on 15.6.2004 the entire "affected area" (called so for brevity ) at Baina Mormugao to examine "in situ" the post 14.6.2004 scenario and collated a few facts (in cognito ) based on personal talks with the affected persons The area comes under 24 Mormugao Assembly Constituency 15 Mormugao P.W.D. Office (Water Supply) Baina Sea Shore (Part) Voters 793 776 1569 with 30 new fresh voters 16 Mormugao Govt. High School Baina Sea Shore (Part) voters 518 + 476 (994) Natives of Goa atleast by name are about 165 residents The area is roughly over 3500 sq mts (adjoining PTS 116 Chalta 74 private property of A S De Souza) belonging to the Government and Mormugao Municipality. The area in the pre-Liberation Days used to be frequented by sailors calling at India's natural harbour Mormugao. Except for the sexual escapades of these sailors from far away land by and large the social evenings were like any part of Goa - keeping with its Latin style image. It was only when the developmental activities started in Goa mainly post Liberation that women who faded sexually with age and went out of trade took up the role of "MADAMs" also called "Gharwalis"who initiated others from outside the State -- many who were brought in from drought prone areas -- in the name of manual labour were eventually per force and circumstances initiated in the sex trade a few Goan widows or damsel in distress were also actively associated but they no more operate from this end or the figure has drastically staggered. The situation pre 14.6.2004 was clearly different the women in the trade were confident that the area would no more harbour their activities. It was NOT yet notified as a "red light area" though branded as one . After the continued strict police checks post October 2000 (BJP coalition in power) many had abandoned the profession or left for their native places . Most sold the areas to genuine labour families that were employed on the nominal muster rolls with Port agencies. The message to the sailors and Indian domestic tourists was in BAINA now KAIM NA --meaning in Konkani language there is "nothing". The first credit went to ex MLA John Manuel Vaz and now to CM Manohar Parrikar for restoring the Baina Beach a city beach for the people of Vasco da Gama as the residents discreetly confide. Since the area had above 3000 residents numerous grocery shops about 23 bars eateries sprung up. In fact to say that there was a "red light area " existent today in 2004 is a figment of imagination. Many of the Commercial Sex Workers who used to operate from this end have either gone back to their native land or spread out to other cities in Goa. By now they have changed their attire and adopted dresswear akin to the native Goans they can easily move around as Goan village girls in jean pants etc The Supreme Court of India judgement in the case of Gaurav Jain vs Union of India 1997 (8) SCC 114 listed measures for the rehabilitation of Commercial Sex workers in general (not Goa specific) and -- directed a) re-adjustment and rehabilitation by economic empowerment b) social justice and self sustenance c) equality of status and dignity as personsin truth and reality and for social integration to achieve this a) setting up of State Committee b) Local Committee c) Advisory Committee d) Monitoring Committee e) Child Development Committee A writ petition filed in the High Court of Judicature at Panaji No:365 of 1997 with Civil Application No 206/97 was first heard on 20.10.1997. Thereafter The National Commission for Women in New Delhi had constituted a Committee under Justice G D Kamat (retd) to enquire and investigate into the problems of women in prostitution in Baina Mormugao Goa and they submitted the Committee submitted their recomendations on 6.9.1998 But these recommendations pertain to the period pre October 2000 and the conditions no more exist today. It was only in July 2003 that the Hon'ble High Court of Bombay at Goa - Panaji Bench directed State Government to a) take steps as per the SC judgement and the Justice G D Kamat report for the rehabilitation of Commercial Sex Workers b) if the 200 cubicle constructions are illegal ( and they are as per our examination) to take steps TO EVICT THE ILLEGAL OCCUPANTS c) to take steps to ensure that CSW are NOT brought to Goa from other States on contract and government IS NOT BOUND TO REHABILITATE THEM except to the extent provided by specific directions in the SC judgement in case of CSW d) the CSW to BE DEPORTED back to the State from where they come from Compliance report to be submitted within NINE months from this order. The official of the Collectorate has confided that all the "illegal occupants" of the land Municipality and Government were indeed served notices well in advance and only on their failure to move out the demolition was carried out first by disconnecting power and water supply. It is a fact that illegal occupants were indeed provided power and water supply and excise permits. But following a recent notification the mere reason of holding power and water connection does not give legitimacy to ones right to possession. The general conclusion is that a) the natives of Vasco da Gama are glad that the blot on their city is gone forever -- appreciate the political will b) the politicians in the opposition have reason to feel disgruntled because what they could not achieve - shutting off the red light area -- the stigma to the natives of Baina -- or rather having thrived on the this vote bank have lost and the ruling coalition has gained; c) the NGOs action groups who used to thrive on distributing condoms with financial aid from various sources -- have lost the "figures" they could prop up to recieve the funds --- many of them who survived exclusively on the existence of a RED LIGHT area will now have to close shop and move out of activity -- they are six in number it is stated. d) there is a reason for some compassion because the action was timed in the wet of monsoon - children and women were the worst affected not CSWs but migrant hardworking labour and they deserve rehabilitation if they pass the domicile 15 year norm; >From the above readers may draw their own conclusions. For SOUTH GOA PUBLIC INTEREST ACTION GROUP Regd NGP 171/GOA/2000 Terence Mazarelo PRESIDENT (SGPIAG) [EMAIL PROTECTED] 0832 2731373 hELPLINE 9822158584 weblink http://mumbai.sancharnet.in/manojnd A representative of our regd NGO based in Margao with jurisdiction over the entire South Goa Parliamentary constituency visited on 15.6.2004 the entire "affected area" (called so for brevity ) at Baina Mormugao to examine "in situ" the post 14.6.2004 scenario and collated a few facts (in cognito ) based on personal talks with the affected persons The area comes under 24 Mormugao Assembly Constituency 15 Mormugao P.W.D. Office (Water Supply) Baina Sea Shore (Part) Voters 793 776 1569 with 30 new fresh voters 16 Mormugao Govt. High School Baina Sea Shore (Part) voters 518 + 476 (994) Natives of Goa atleast by name are about 165 residents The area is roughly over 3500 sq mts (adjoining PTS 116 Chalta 74 private property of A S De Souza) belonging to the Government and Mormugao Municipality. The area in the pre-Liberation Days used to be frequented by sailors calling at India's natural harbour Mormugao. Except for the sexual escapades of these sailors from far away land by and large the social evenings were like any part of Goa - keeping with its Latin style image. It was only when the developmental activities started in Goa mainly post Liberation that women who faded sexually with age and went out of trade took up the role of "MADAMs" also called "Gharwalis"who initiated others from outside the State -- many who were brought it from drought prone areas -- in the name of manual labour were eventually per force and circumstances initiated in the sex trade a few Goan widows or damsel in distress were also actively associated but they no more operate from this end. The situation post 14.6.2004 was clearly different the women in the trade were confident that the area would no more harbour their activities. It was NOT yet notified aas a "red light area". After the continued strict police checks post October 2000 (BJP coalition in power) many had abandoned the profession. Most sold the areas to genuine labour families that were employed on the nominal muster rolls with Port agencies. The message to the sailors and Indian domestic tourists was in BAINA now KAIM NA --meaning in Konkani language there is "nothing". The first credit went to ex MLA John Manuel Vaz and now to CM Manohar Parrikar for restoring the Baina Beach a city beach for the people of Vasco da Gama Since the area had above 3000 residents numerous grocery shops about 23 bars eateries sprung up. In fact to say that there was a "red light area " existent today in 2004 is a figment of imagination. Many of the Commercial Sex Workers who used to operate from this end have either gone back to their native land or spraead out to other cities in Goa. By now they have changed their attire and adopted dresswear akin to the native Goans they can easily move around as Goan village girls in jean pants etc The Supreme Court of India judgement in the case of Gaurav Jain vs Union of India 1997 (8) SCC 114 listed measures for the rehabilitation of Commercial Sex workers -- directed a) re-adjustment and rehabilitation by economic empowerment b) social justice and self sustenance c) equality of status and dignity as personsin truth and reality and for social integration to achieve this a) setting up of State Committee b) Local Committee c) Advisory Committee d) Monitoring Committee e) Child Development Committee A writ petition filed in the High Court of Judicature at Panaji No:365 of 1997 with Civil Application No 206/97 was first heard on 20.10.1997. Thereafter The National Commission for Women in New Delhi had constituted a Committee under Justice G D Kamat (retd) to enquire and investigate into the problems of women in prostitution in Baina and they submitted the Committee submitted their recomendations on 6.9.1998 But these recommendations pertain to the period post October 2000 and the conditions no more existed today. It was only in July 2003 that the Hon'ble High Court of Bombay at Goa - Panaji Bench directed State Government to a) take steps as per the SC judgement and the Justice G D Kamat report for the rehabilitation of Commercial Sex Workers b) if the 200 cubicle constructions are illegal ( and they are as per our examination) to take steps TO EVICT THE ILLEGAL OCCUPANTS c) to take steps to ensure that CSW are NOT brought to Goa from other States on contract and government IS NOT BOUND TO REHABILITATE THEM except to the extent provided by specific directions in the SC judgement in case of CSW d) the CSW to BE DEPORTED back to the State from where they come from Compliance report to be submitted within NINE months from this order. The official of the Collectorate has confided that all the "illegal occupants" of the land Municipality and Government were indeed served notices well in advance and only on their failure to move out the demolition was carried out first by disconnecting power and water supply. It is a fact that illegal occupants were indeed provided power and water supply and excise permits. But following a recent notification the mere reason of holding power and water connection does not give legitimacy to ones right to possession. The general conclusion is that a) the natives of Vasco da Gama are glad that the blot on their city is gone forever -- appreciate the political will b) the politicians in the opposition have reason to feel disgruntled because what they could not achieve - shutting off the red light area -- the stigma to the natives of Baina -- or rather having thrived on the this vote bank have lost and the ruling coalition has gained; c) the NGOs action groups who used to thrive on distributing condoms with financial aid from various sources -- have lost the "figures" they could prop up to recieve the funds --- many of them who survived exclusively on the existence of a RED LIGHT area will now have to close shop and move out of activity -- they are six in number it is stated. >From the above readers may draw their own conclusions. For SOUTH GOA PUBLIC INTEREST ACTION GROUP Regd NGP 171/GOA/2000 Terence Mazarelo PRESIDENT (SGPIAG) [EMAIL PROTECTED] 0832 2731373 hELPLINE 9822158584 weblink http://mumbai.sancharnet.in/manojnd ----- End forwarded message -----