Saturday 13 May 2023

In Front of Ribandar Coastal Security Police Station Illegal Sand Miners Feel Safe And Secure

100 meters in front of Ribandar Coastal Security Police Station illegal sand mining flourish in Mandovi


Around 08 big cannoes were seen carrying on illegal sand mining in Mandovi river on mid-night of May 12-13, 2023 barely 100 meters from Coastal Security Police Station at Ribandar. Complaint was lodged on 112 Emergency Service as well as Police Inspector, Coastal Security Police Station, Ribandar on his mobile phone 7875756099 at 11.30 pm.


Goa Police Station personnel came to the Ribandar -Divar Ferry spot at 00.10 am. They came in one Jeep and one two-wheeler. All together six policemen came. Four in uniform and two in civil clothes.


Visit was also made to the office of Coastal Security Police Station at 11.35 pm. Cops there were surprised to know that hundred meters away visibly sand mining is going in front of the Coastal Security Police Station, Ribandar. Police there on duty came out to see if that's true. After confirming he assured that he will call other Police personell and dispatch patrol boat to nab illegal sand miners in Mandovi. 


By 00.15 am boats moved 200 hundred meters upwards towards East little beyond the Ferry Jetty and stopped to continue sand extraction illegally. Patrol boat of Coastal Security Police never turned up. We don't know the reasons for they never got communicated. Last we heard about the Patrol boat was that Goa CM Dr. P. Sawant was operating. We don't know if the boat has been taken by him to destination of his choice.


Police at the Ribandar-Divar Ferry Jetty said that their duty is on land and water duty belong to Coastal Security Police Station. And now they will go. They were told to follow up the cannoe route. Police were reluctant and replied that they have no time to do so.


From this experience it is clear that Police telephone complaint was leaked to the cannoes in Mandovi waters. There is well oiled nexus between the Police and illegal sand mining cannoes.


Previous night of May 11-12, 2023 these cannoes carried  on illegal sand mining near Vitogem, Diwar from 00.00 hours to 04.00 hours.


This is an indication that illegal San mining operators are turning into mafia. Goa administration is colluding with illegal sand miners in this manner.


Post Script


Later at 1.25 am an ASI named Chopdekar from Coastal Security Police Station, Ribandar called up to inquire as to where the sand mining was going on. When questioned as to why so much the delay in responding he answered saying that his team had gone to answer call at Amona Bridge. When location was disclosed he said that currently no boats are seen. Possibility of cops speaking truth is reputed to be remote. Further when questioned about status of Patrol boat he disclosed that the said boat is on G-20 duty. Other small boat has no trained staff to navigate as the regular staff is posted on G-20 duty. This further confirms toothless nature of policing in Goa's rivers.



Seby Rodrigues

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