Goa village bans Biharis following rift

The Hindu Newsupdate, 2nd November 2005

Residents from Honda, a village in north Goa with 10,000 population, unanimously adopted a resolution disallowing any Bihar native to stay or work here, said Honda village sarpanch Pandurang Gaonkar.

The village houses Honda Industries Estate, an industrial hub comprising steel rolling mills and automobile units.

"Under presure from locals, the Panchayat Gramsabha had to resolve the issue and ban Biharis," he told PTI.

Though the resolution has "no constitutional standing", it will be adhered to by local panchayat bowing to pressures from villagers, he added.

The rift between Goans and Biharis began last fortnight when two Bihari youths were allegedly assaulted by a group of locals for eve-teasing.

The village got tensed when police complaint was registered and police arrived to arrest local youths.

Villagers gathered outside Honda police outposet and prevented police from arresting locals. Even the outpost was stoned, prompting police to summon extra force, police said.

"We are aware of the situation and have started preparing a list of Biharis and other tanents residing in the village," said Superintendent of Police (north) D K Sawant.

Besides Biharis, the village has natives of Kerala, Orissa and Rajasthan, whose presence has been not objected to by the locals.