FB Journo: Goa’s Vanarmare Tribe Suffers Poverty & Persecution

The Quint’s FB Journo Hussain Shaikh reports on the atrocities faced by the local Vanarmare tribe in Goa.

Members of the Vanarmare tribe who were displaced in October 2016 (Photo courtesy: Hussain Shaikh/Screengrab)

The Quint’s FB Journo Hussain Shaikh reports from Nirankara village in Goa on the atrocities faced by the local Vanarmare tribe, the monkey hunters.

In October 2016, a group of unknown people, allegedly linked to local politicians, ransacked nearly 15 houses belonging to the members of the Vanarmare tribe. Since then the members of this homeless community have been living under tarpaulin tents without the basic amenities of a clean water supply and sanitation facilities.

22 families of the tribe are currently residing in the Nirankara village in Siroda constituency of Goa. The poor tribesmen earn their livelihood by doing menial jobs such as cashew plucking, and collection of betel nuts and coconuts for their livelihood.

With the 2017 state assembly elections near, the tribe hopes to grab attention of the government and procure aid so that they can make a better future for themselves and their families.

Video Editor: Prashant Bhardwaj

Video Courtesy: Hussain Shaikh