The recent murder of 59-year-old Anthony Godinho typifies the resurgence of violence being unleashed on this tiny village, thanks to its proximity to Gorai beach and the EsselWorld amusement park. Despite the real estate slump, building hotels and other amenities at a spot near these tourist attractions would reap rich returns, the land sharks figure.

At around 4 am on October 15, 14 villagers were attacked by about 40 persons eyeing the two acres of land owned by the Colaco family. Led by S P Singh, who owns a security agency in the area, the goondas thrashed the Colacos, their neighbours and relatives with choppers, soda bottles, sticks and stones.

``Though we fought back, Singhand his men not only outnumbered us; they were also drunk,'' says Goretti Colaco. ``They hit our neighbour Anthony Godinho on the head with a chopper but fled when he collapsed,'' her husband Ceasar adds. ``Singh's men told us to give up our land right away and then installed a board claiming that Singh Security Service was the owner. Then they shoved us out of our fields and threatened to cut off our legs if we dared return,'' the Colacos recount.

Over the last four years, rice fields spanning 50 acres have been similarly usurped allegedly at the behest of a Mumbai-based builder. About 21 families have already sold their property either due to pressure from land brokers and the goondas they employ or by being cheated into selling out following manipulation of records, says Sushila Cardozo, director of Stree Shakti Sadan (SSS), which along with the Gorai Bachao Sangarsh Samiti (GBSS), has been helping the locals resist the builders' attempts.

The villagers claim the Borivli police have repeatedly turneddown requests for protection, advising them to seek legal redressal instead. Says Goretti, ``The Borivli police refused to register my complaint and when I met Senior Inspector R S Chhajlani (who was recently transferred to the Traffic Department), he threw my documents right back at me saying they were of no importance. I was then ordered to leave the premises. "On October 8, the Bombay City Civil Court passed an injunction, restraining anyone from trespassing in my rice fields,'' she adds. Goretti however, managed to file a First Information Report against Singh, who has been arrested along with 10 others. They are now in custody.

Four families who have filed suits against builder Tony Lewis in the Bombay City Civil Court are awaiting a verdict from the Bombay High Court, where the builder's appeal is pending, says GBSS leader Peter Godinho.Up against a wall with the local police, the villagers have appealed to Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Y C Pawar for help. Pawar told Express Newsline thathe had asked Deputy Commissioner of Police Kiran Shelar to address the villagers' problems.

Says Shelar: ``I am investigating the allegations against the land grabbers and the persons assisting them. Even the Borivli police will not be spared if they are found guilty of misusing the law as alleged by the villagers,'' he adds.

Lourdes D'Souza of the GBSS has also written to Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) D Shivanandan vide a letter dated October 20, saying the Borivli police refused to cooperate in the Godinho murder case.

In 1995, the Murzello family almost lost 2.5 acres near Vairala talao. They were deceived by a relative, who made them sign a conveyance deed in favour of Lewis. However, the Murzellos soon realised they were being duped. Following a protracted battle in the City Civil Court, the matter was settled in favour of the family by the Bombay High Court, says Stella Murzello.

Again in October 1995, a land broker sought to dupe Desmond D'Souza of his 2.5 acres by getting the power ofattorney altered in favour of Lewis. When D'Souza grew wise to the builder's designs, he obtained a stay order from the Bombay High Court on the transfer of the land.