Friday 9 May 2014

BMM condemns arrests of villagers protesting mining in Cavrem

Call up Quepem police station landline 08322662253 and get the latest update on the arrests

Bharat Mukti Morcha strongly condemns arrests of 34 mulnivasi people protesting against mining transportation or iron ore in Cavrem village of Quepem taluka On May 8, 2014 without being released till reports last came in. They are split and shifted at police stations in Margao, Vasco etc. According to the reports received Cavrem villagers including large number of tribal people block transportation of ore from Jairam Neogi mine operated illegally since 2007 by Dinar Tarcar. His lease expired in 2007 and Supreme Court in recent judgement has confirmed that all mines in Goa have been functioning without valid leases. This is the same mine where Dora, Sheryl, Karush, Sebastian, Fr.Mathias Protested and few others- were beaten up by mining truck drivers under the direction of mining Contractor Subhas Phaldesai and arrested on October 11, 2008. The first account of Fr.Mathias is available here. Another account by Sebastian is also available.

Bharat Mukti Morcha hold that the act of blocking mining transportation by Cavrem villagers is correct and Police has acted only to fulfill the combined will of the mining companies and the Chief Minister who in any case is heading Bamon Raj government that believed in scant respect for mulnivasis like Adivasis of Cavrem, their livestock, forest and paddy fields.

Amongst the arrested 34 are 10 women and as per report received till midnight were not served any food or water in police custody at Quepem Police station, Quepem.

Shah Commission has pointed out the robbery of Rs.35,000 crore through mining trade. Public Accountability Committee headed by then Leader of the Opposition Mr.Manohar Parrikar has marshaled evidence of illegal mining export of 85 million tones and Rs.3,400 crore loss to the State treasury. Mr.Parrikar however after taking over as Chief Minister has not acted on his own report nor has he recovered Rs.3,400 crore looted by mining companies. He has also avoided any actions to nail those responsible for the illegal export of 85 million tones of iron ore from Goa. What Mr.Manohar Parrikar has provided for Goa is ethically bad leadership for Goa with active promotion of black money and corruption just like his predecessor Digambar Kamat. The rightful place for both these Bamons is behind the bars. They are moving scot free and troubling entire state of Goa only because they are Bamons heading Bamon Raj committed to loot and plunder of Goa.

Bharat Mukti Morcha is of the studied opinion that mining in legal as well as illegal way is not sustainable in Goa and every effort must be made to rid Goa of mining curse.

Bharat Mukti Morcha also strongly object to the Department of mines trying to create fear amongst public that protests against mining is a contempt of Supreme Court Judgement in Goa Foundation versus Union of India dated April 21, 2014 on mining in Goa. This judgement is already criticized.

Bharat Mukti Morcha congratulates Cavrem villagers for their bold action in defense of life that is threatened by mining companies.

No comments:

Post a Comment