Eco-hostile Resolution on Goa Mining

The resolution taken unanimously passed by Goa Legislative Assembly on August 03, 2018 strongly recommending re-starting of mining in Goa is completely eco-hostile act on behalf of all elective representatives in House. However this is no shocker. Mining companies of Goa are known to be funding State and National Political Parties both ruling and opposition, their MLAs are therefore obliged to push ahead the agenda of the mining corporate. Plus several MLAs of Goa are direct and indirect beneficiaries of mining industry with open and covert business links.

Curtorim MLA Reginald Lorenco who had raised public hopes with some dissent to mining, gave in. Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha who is amongst the most sensitive and skilled having worked with late Mathany Saldanha and functioned as Goa’s Minister for Environment and Forest has betrayed for trees has no votes. Tribal Affairs Minister and Priol MLA Govind Gawde did not bother to have deeper look at the tribal communities’ expression of grievances arising from ecological damage caused by mining industry in Sonshi and Colomba. Their votes signified their co-option to the exploitative system in place.

The resolution to re-start mining in Goa completely exclude any mention to the ecological damage that mining has already caused: amount of water pumped out daily depleting ground water table, amount of forest land diverted for mining purpose, amount of trees cut down or buried alive under mining dumps, the intensity of pollution caused to the paddy fields and rivers.

On the contrary we have witnessed highly objectionable comments from the Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar who is also Goa’s environment Minister “Just on ground of environmental damage, is it right to stop mining activity?” Goa’s environment Minister has a mindset that is in needs of immediate correction. Can economy flourish by damaging environment? The very first meeting of the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) minutes records that mining is biggest environmental pollution in Goa and barges transporting iron ore causes environmental pollution to Goa’s rivers, and massive public awareness is the need of the hour. When mining has caused such a high level of damage to Goa is it not the duty of the State government to stop mining forever and move people away from dependency on mining?

A month ago Indian Government’s Niti Ayog published study that warned of increasing shortage of fresh water in India. All water pumped out to extract ore in Goa is fresh water. Do any of the MLAs in Goa Legislative Assembly has data on how much ground water is pumped out from the legal and illegal mining pits in Goa ever since mechanization of mining in the decade of 1970s? Do they have information as to how many water bodies like wells in Sirgao has gone dry because of pumping out of ground water from mining pits? Do they have any data on how much of agriculture has been damaged due to flow of mining silt into paddy fields in Sattari, Bicholim, Ponda, Sanguem and Darbandora Talukas? How much unemployment and food insecurity has this created since 1970? It appears from the resolution that MLAs are only elected representatives lack moral courage and vulnerable to swings of cash and bullying.

Latest advertisements in Delhi Print media claim that mining in Goa is sustainable and eco-friendly. The extracted ore has reached shores of China, Japan, Pakistan and other countries as per records published by Goa Mineral Ore Exporters Association and Goa’s ore is sustaining these foreign countries. From 1945 Goa’s ore export has contributed immensely in resurrecting Japanese economy shattered by nuclear bombings. From 2000 Goa’s major share of exports went of China. Goa’s exports sustained Japanese and Chinese economies. How mining has sustained Goa’s ecology?

In what way Goa’s mining is eco-friendly? Isn’t it repackaging of mineral farming concept? On the contrary very first minutes of GSPCB proves that mining is an eco-hostile industry causing irreversible damage to Forest, Agriculture, Horticulture and Rivers.

Former Chief Minister Pratapsingh Rane, Poriem MLA is worst of all for his claims of not being aware of ecological damage due to mining. He must visit Pissurlem, Sirgao, Cavrem, Bicholim, Lamgao, Colomba, Advalpal, Honda, Sonshi and meet people who are staying and are at the receiving end of the mining industry.

The resolution to re-start mining by modifying Central Government mining laws is eco-hostile decision that will inevitably lead to Goa’s ecocide.

Sebastiao Rodrigues

'Why' Politics of all Party meeting on Goa mining

Why Goa's legislators never thought of calling all Party meeting to discuss water shortages caused by mining by drying up of 75 village water wells of Sirigao village as mining pits have gone 90 meter below sea level? Why they never thought of calling all Party meeting to discuss entire destruction of agriculture by mining industry in Sirigao village? Why Goa legislators never had all Party meet when Forests land were diverted for mining and razed down brazenly? Why Goa legislators never had all Party meeting when Goa's rivers are invaded by mining industry through pollution as recorded in first meeting of GSPCB? Why they never called all Party meeting when so many jobs in hinterlands of Goa steadily lost due to mining intrusions? Why Goa's legislators are so selective in calling all Party meetings about mining in Goa? Is it likely that mining industry funds and 'buys off' all the MLAs? Is is likely that all political Parties in Goa are funded openly or under the table by mining industry? Why? Why? Why? This set of questions need answer for the sake of Goa's safety and prosperity. Can you attempt an answer?

Mining provokes water wars in Goa: Shirgao V/s Poira

They are both in Bicholim Taluka. They are both facing water shortages. They are both victims of mining. They are both neighboring villages  They both have politicians who try to find superficial solution to water shortages. The political leadership is hypocritical for it carries on sycophancy with mining industry. The two villages are Sirgao and Poira. Both has history of mining of half a century. The water shortages are due to reckless destruction of water table that has been pushed down to 70 meters below Sea Level. Mountains of Shirgao were majestic. They served not only to wildlife and plants, trees big and small but also as natural water tanks. They made the village prosperous many decades ago with non-stop water supply. And then mining came. Villagers protested. Protesting villagers arrested in 1970s as in Mayem and protest fizzled out. Miners won and Goa's mulnivasis lost. They lost the rivers to mining and so they lost the paddy fields to mining silt. And they lost their health to the dust from the mining companies. 

And Panchayats including Sirgao Panchayat is least bothered about all this. The Sarpanch has threatened to march on the streets on the issue of concrete water tanks water diversion to Poira village but cares a hoot for enormous destruction of natural water tanks of Shirgao - its mountains by Dempos, sold to Vendanta, Chowgules and other mining interests. Damage is really huge and protest of the Panchayat is not matching to the damage caused. And media is silent on the core issues too. Reports in Herald and Navhind Times carefully avoided any reference to mining and to the Speech of Dinanath Gaonkar in the Gram Sabha under discussion that was held on 18 January 2015. Media too is protecting mining industry and this is unfortunate development. 

While this is a situation of Shirgao as far as water is concerned Goa's EVM fraud government is going ahead with renewal of 29 mining leases. And Goa Government wants to finish of rest of Goa as well: loot, plunder, decimate, terrorize. This is the mantra of the present governance in Goa. Yet none of these are enough stifle the voices. We still remember police torture of Babi Gaonkar of Shirgao for protesting against mining industry. You may refresh your memory with a click here.

NEERI report on mining is clear in dissection what went on wrong due to mining for Shirgao. Click here to refresh your memory if needed. Shirgao Panchayat is has been completely misguided and enslaved to avoid attacking mining that has horrendously mauled Shirgao like a tiger does to its prey.  

Water tank under discussion here was constructed as a result of compliance of PWD affidavit to the Goa bench of Bombai High Court, Panaji in response to Sirgaon villagers Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in 2007. No MLA has proposed it. No Sarpanch has proposed it to be constructed.

Bharat Mukti Morcha condemns Goa Chief Minister for violent attacks and torture of two OBC youth Babi Suresh Gaonkar and Cliffton de Souza

Bharat Mukti Morcha strongly condemns spate of attacks on OBC youth in Goa. In the past 10 days from January 25, 2013 to February 03, 2013 two bright and promising youth were attacked and assaulted in various parts of in North and South Goa. Both of them were involved in interrogating the Bamani state in Goa in form of sustained use of RTI for the purpose of public awareness, and share a potential of offering brand new political alternative before the people of Goa. Both of them had to face the brunt of the Bamani state of Goa headed by Chief minister Manohar Parrikar simply because they are uncompromising, brave and work with single minded determination. Their only fault is that they are not Bamons like Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar of BJP or his predecessor Digambar Kamat of Congress. Their genes are different from bamons, their race is different from Bamons. This is the reason Bamons sought to violently crush them by police and the private agency of violence.

The first assault was more dramatic and was carried on directly under the police supervision, by police personnel making mockery of police-civil society good relations rhetoric. This was assault and police torture of 18 year old brave, young, gutsy, brilliant yet honest Babi Suresh Gaonkar from Sirigao, Bicholim, Goa. His family has a history of genuine opposition to mining in their village of Sirigao and his dad late Suresh Babani Gaonkar was even arrested for protesting against mining on 10^th May 2009. Babi’s assault and torture ordeal was facilitated by several policemen at Bicholim Police Station, Bicholim on the eve and on the day of the Republic day - 25^th and 26^th January 2013. Babi submitted signed letter of his torture to Bharat Mukti Morcha on 29^th January 2013. This letter is vivid in its description of torture inflicted on him at the behest of Bandekar mining company operating in his village of Sirgao. The copy of his letter was made available to the members of public by Bharat Mukti Morcha online on the same day. It is accessible on the links below:

http://www.bharatmukti.blogspot.in/2013/01/there-is-no-fear-to-speak-truth.html

 

  Now the two departments are party to the torture of Babi Suresh Gaonkar in this case. One is Police Department. The second one is department of mines and geology. Both the departments are headed by the Chief Minister Bamon Manohar Parrikar. The torture saga carried on in collaboration with both these departments, illegally in violation of the Constitution of India lasted for two days. Police department could not have mustered this courage except with support and encouragement of the Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar who is committed for spread of baman raj over mulnivasi with his every word, thought and action. That’s why he promoted Shannai Goembab Wamanrao Varde Walaulikar’s  125^th birth anniversary celebration during his last tenure as Chief Minister through state funding in 2002. Walaulikar’s writings are anti-national and by granting state funding Manohar Parrikar had transformed himself anti-national ever since June 23, 2002. Shannai has dedicated his book ‘kahi Marathi Lekh’ with love to the children of bamons ‘tarnea-dhaktea Brahman bhugeank maye-mogan’. This is the reason ‘bamon’ is a legitimate and self-adopted title of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. If he still has problem with word ‘bamon’ then let him do his DNA test. He will realize that he is neither Goan nor Indian but Eurasian. Not sure as to how he is continuing as Chief Minister of Goa. Man of the Year is a fraud of the millennium. Goa’s noted writer Ramnath G. Naik has ably demonstrated as to how Manohar Parrikar is an anti-national in his Marathi book titled “Goveachea Bhashavadathil Karasthan (Conspiracy in Goa’s Language controversy) published by Gomantak Marathi Bhasha Parishad (Ponda) on 6^th July 2003. Till date Manohar Parrikar has not sued Ramnath Naik’s book. This implies that what Ramnath Naik has written in his book is true and he riding his political fortune on the waves of ignorance of the masses.

The modus operandi adopted by Chief Minister in the second assault had to be changed after Bharat Mukti Morcha published the letter of Babi Suresh Gaonkar online. In this assault police were taken away from the action. The responsibility was outsourced and handed over to the private enterprise specializing in causing harm to others though the means of raw violence. This enterprise is popularly known as gangsters but truly in this case of assault they were agents of Bamons – mulnivasi from various parts of Goa used even though they do not know that they are being used.  The venue chosen was Velim Panchayat in Salcete. The occasion was the village Gram Sabha. Visible target was Clifton de Souza. But Bamon Raj also had invisible targets all those mulnivasis who were commissioned to assault Clifton are equal targets of Bamons. In case Clifton files police cases they will be the sacrificial pigs for feast of bamons.

Gram Sabha proceeds and reaches halfway at around 1.15 pm. Cliffton de Souza was sitting silently in the Gram Sabha after his earlier interventions related to controversial fish mill project. Suddenly one man Savio, a Portuguese passport holder hit him with plastic chair followed by punches. What a person with Portuguese passport was doing at Velim Gram Sabha? What were the Sarpanch, Secretary, and the Panch members doing when Portuguese national, passport holder was present at the Gram Sabha, that too creating violence? Investigation should follow up this right from BDOs office.

 Then without gap another man Umesh attacked him with plastic chair followed by punches. Umesh is from Ponda and resides in Betul.  All this unfolded in the presence of public and members of the Panchayat including the Sarpanch Melvyn and Panchayat Secretary and other Panch members.  Sarpanch did not come to rescue Cliffton during the assault nor did he publicly condemn the attack at the Gram Sabha. He failed in both his duties. Instead he declared Gram Sabha meeting terminated. Sarpanch also failed to call police to rescue Cliffton and arrest the attackers, the gangsters from outside the village. Cliffton pleaded with Sarpanch to call police. Sarpanch instead of calling police called local MLA Benjamin Silva. This proves that Sarpanch is not independent and is controlled by MLA.  Because Sarpanch is not independent he had no guts to call the police himself and that’s why he told the MLA to call the police. This behavior of Sarpanch needs to be reflected upon. Sarpanch was not at all shocked nor was he hurt when Cliffton was attacked.  It must be kept in mind that Sarpanch at this critical moment decided not to call police but instead informed local MLA Benjamin Silva of Velim who has been publicly declared by Manohar Parrikar as supported by him. MLA certainly has more influence with the police so it was expected that local MLA should have mustered courage and brought in police to protect Clifton. Yet local MLA Silva had no guts and independence to call the cops. It proves from this behavior that his independence is a biggest joke of 2012. Why local MLA Silva was powerless to protect Cliffton by calling in police? This is because local MLA is under control of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. And why did Manohar Parrikar never wanted to protect Cliffton? This is because Clifton is not under the control of Manohar Parrikar. So, the local MLA was doing the will of the Chief Minister on receiving the phone call from the Sarpanch. It was not difficult at all for the local MLA to get police and protect Cliffton. Yet he did not do so. Why? This is because local MLA is not only supported by Bamon Manohar Parrikar but he is also controlled by Manohar Parrikar. And Manohar Parrikar is a Home Minister with entire police force under his control including intelligence agencies.

Police was called to the scene by Cliffton himself. First he called office of Police Inspector (PI) of his jurisdiction. PI was on leave. Was it deliberate that PI was on leave? It looks this attack was pre-planned and pre-meditated.  Then DySP was contacted. Still police did not come. Then IGP was contacted. Still police did not come. Finally South Goa Collector was contacted and one ASI reached the Velim Panchayat and rescued Cliffton from the Mayhem. This ASI also recorded statement from Cliffton and then accompanied up to Cuncolim Police Station. From here Clifton was taken to Balli for medical check up in Police jeep. From Balli Cliffton was brought to Hospicio, Margao casualty ward. From casualty ward he was kept for 24 hours in orthopedic ward under medical supervision. He was discharged from the hospital late night on February 04, 2013. In spite of attack taking place in full public view with Sarpanch, Secretary, panch members as witnesses no arrests of the accused are effected. This is nothing but Bamon Raj.

The question now arises as to why Manohar Parrikar is feeling threaten by Cliffton and have decided to unleash gangsters on him. This young gutsy man contested last Assembly elections from Velim constituency and even got some 380 votes. His total assets on election commission record including fix deposits does not exceed Rs.80,000/-. Yet Cliffton resisted every pressure to withdraw from the election. He resisted every offer of cash in exchange to withdraw from election fray. He contested elections to oppose two candidates supported by political parties of the Bamons and for the upliftment of Bamon interests. One of them was then Forest Minister Philip Neri Rodrigues of Congress and second one was BJP supported Independent candidate and current MLA Benjamin Silva. Clifton de Souza was offered few lakhs of Rupees to withdraw from the election fray, but he refused and proceeded on to contest elections. Then this person who attacked Clifton today with chair was commission by Bamon parties to threaten Clifton de Souza in order to stop his election campaigning. Clifton was told by this attacker not to carry on house to house visits and canvas for votes. Only reason why all this pressure on Clifton was that he was not subscribing to the agenda of the bamons in his words, thoughts and deeds. He was following independent path that was beneficial to Sudhirs or Shudras, ST, SC, bhahujans. He was and is loud and outspoken on various forms of injustices in society. Bamon raj represented by Manohar Parrikar  just hates him and is all out to harm him. Bamon Raj is terrified that politics in Goa may have a genuine voice of defense, a daring and young person in the Goa Assembly. This is the real intention as to why Bamons like Manohar Parrikar are using MLA and Sarpanch to destroy Clifton. Sarpanch, MLA nor Chief Minister Parrikar will ever succeed in destroying Clifton. Clifton is not alone. Entire might of Bharat Mukti Morcha is with Clifton, with People of Velim Assembly constituency as well as South Goa Parliamentary Constituency. Every time Bamon Raj will interfere with Clifton Bharat Mukti Morcha will retaliate generously and fittingly again and again till Bamon Raj is crushed and smashed for Satan is fit only to be smashed and crushed totally and completely.

Bharat Mukti Mukti Morcha salutes both these young and courageous men of Goa. Bharat Mukti advises Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to desist from such assaults and gangster tactics as they were used in case of Babi Suresh Gaonkar and Cliffton de Souza. The days of hidden planned attacks against Mulnivasi people by Bamons are still continuing and these two attacks are ample testimony to this fact.  Already with these two instances Manohar Parrikar has sown the seeds of bitter struggle between OBCs and Bamons. He supervised two attacks on OBCs within 10 days. Bharat Mukti Morcha has also noted that Chief Minister has indulged in torture and assault only of OBC and none of the Bamon youth during the past 10 days. This is a fact with very serious implications. Hence forth for any torture and assault of any OBC, SC, ST, Christians, Muslims and Buddhists in Goa, the Chief Minister and his Bamon Raj will be held responsible and retaliated fittingly.

'There is no fear to speak the truth'

From:

Babi Suresh Gaonkar

H.No. 6/1, Vadacha wada, Sirgaon, Bicholim, Goa

Date: 29/01/2013

To,

Bharat Mukti Morcha

Goa Unit

Subject:  My Police torture, Human Rights violations by Constable Venkat Marshal, PSI Tukaram Walke, Police Inspector Ninad Deulkar and other police officials attached to Bicholim Police Station on duty on 25^th and 26^th January 2013.

I the undersigned Babi Suresh Gaonkar, 18 years of age, student, OBC, resident of H.No. 6/1, Vadacha wada, Sirgao, Bischolim, wish to state following:-

1.    At 10.07 am on 25^th January 2013 I was served with notice under section 149 CrPC asking me to remain present at the Bicholim Police station on 26^th January 2013. The notice signed by police Inspector, Bicholim Police Station was dated 24^th January 2013.

2.    On the same day of 25^th January 2013 I returned from my college at 5.00 pm and had just entered my house. I saw One Constable Venkat Marshal along with PSI Tukaram Walke was sitting in a Police jeep near my house.

3.    Constable Venkat Marshal got off from the jeep and came to my house and asked me if I have a knife with me. I replied saying ‘no’. This Constable then picked up instrument called ‘koita’ that we use to peel off coconut and caught my shoulder and pulled me out of my house towards the jeep that was marked with words ‘police control room’. ASI present kicked and pushed me inside the jeep amounting to kidnapping. I was not even allowed to close the door of my house.

4.    At a time when I was forced into the jeep my mother was not at home so she was not aware that I was taken away by police. While I was in police jeep my mother phoned me on my mobile. As I received my mother’s call Police Constable Venkat Marshal confiscated my mobile from my hand and banged it on ground. When I protested and told police that my mother will be worried about my whereabouts, Police Constable Venkat Marshal warned me saying “you will not touch mobile ever again and he banged it to the ground and then switched it off.

5.    Inside the jeep, police asked me if I was wearing any gold chain. I put counter question to them ‘why?’ On this reply of mine police – Constable Venkat Marshal and PSI Tukaram Walke began to beat me up. One of them snatched my gold chain, another one pulled my long pant and I was left without my pant just in my short pant. From the pocket of the pant police confiscated cash of Rs. 1800/- and another Rs.50/-. All this was done to me while I was being carried in a police jeep from my village of Sirgao to Bicholim Police Station.

6.    Inside jeep all together there were four policemen - Constable Venkat Marshal, PSI Tukaram Walke, one ASI and a jeep driver. Police said to me “you are doing too much. You are asking for information under RTI. What do you think of yourself?”  I was treated like a dog. They further said to me “you are doing too much; we are not going to leave you this way.” I asked police in the jeep as to why my pant is taken away. Police instead of answering forcefully caught my shirt and tore off its buttons. They then said to me “we will now parade you nude at Bicholim bus stand. Then you will feel ashamed and only then you will learn as to how to write RTI letters.

7.    I was taken to Bicholim Police Station. When got off from the jeep and ASI was pulling me from front and constable Venkat was pushing me from behind. Once I reached the police station at Bicholim I was told to sit. Police then said loudly “This boy is doing too much, he is ‘malkriad’. We have caught him and brought him here now.

8.    After few minutes police put me inside the police van and took me away to Bicholim Primary Health Centre. Over there doctor asked me “What you are feeling?” I told him that I am feeling black out in my eyes and head is heavy. Doctor checked my B.P and declared that it is very high at 190/100 and I am not fit for the lock up. I was hungry. I had only breakfast and had not taken lunch. Doctor told police to take me to District hospital in Mapusa. Doctor wanted to inject me something. I refused and did not give my consent. I was then brought to the Bicholim Police Station and police there was giving me tablets to swallow with water. I refused as I was without any food. Police said “this boy is too much” and started beating me up at Bicholim police station. Every policeman on duty beat me up with kicks and slaps. They then declared that they will beat me up even more for the reason that I refused tablets. I was beaten mercilessly. More they beat me more resolutely I refused to take the some chemical tablets offered to me. I told police that no matter how much they beat me, I will never take tablets. I was then again taken to Bicholim Primary Health Centre.

9.    Doctor here was angry at my refusal to take tablets. Doctor on duty then warned me that he will certify me as fit for police custody. The doctor then checked my blood pressure again and declared that my blood pressure is normal at 130/80. Doctor then told police that it is upto them whether they want to admit him to District Hospital in Mapusa or not.

10.  From the hospital I was taken to the police station again. My mother reached at police station. I gave my mobile to my mother at around this time 7.30 pm. My Mother Suvarna Suresh Gaonkar was called inside the cabin of Police Inspector Ninad Deulkar. PI Ninad Deulkar told my mother “We have arrested your son even though he has committed no offence of any kind, we have framed him up in criminal case because he has filed RTI letter seeking information about police.” My mother told PI Deulkar “My son is in the path of righteousness and he committed no crime.”. She walked out of the cabin of PI Deulkar. While she was walking out of his cabin PSI Walke caught her shoulder and took her back in the cabin of PI Deulkar even though my mother protested and said that no male policemen can touch her. I have not filed any RTI and not sure as to which RTI PI Deulkar found in my name. RTI letter was filed by my mother Suvarna Suresh Gaonkar in order to make democracy functional in Goa’s mining belt and I have been made the target of torture.  Even then filing of RTI letter does not warrant police torture violating anyone’s self respect and dignity. The behavior of Police team at Bicholim Police station is barbaric as I experienced it first hand.

11.  I was stopped from talking to my mother and was whisked away and taken back into Jeep that drove towards District Hospital, Mapusa. Here I was taken to casualty ward. Doctor here inquired and examined my health status. I told doctor that my eyes are feeling black out and my head is heavy. Doctor got my ECG and checked my blood Pressure. He found that my blood pressure was very high at 160/90. Doctor said that I have to be admitted in the hospital. I was made to sit on the wheel chair and taken in for admission.

12.  Since it was already late and food was already served before I was admitted in the hospital nurse on duty told police that it is the responsibility of police to provide food for me. Police kept silent. Doctor wrote prescription of tablets. I refused tablets. Nurse asked me to sign the documents/papers that I am refusing tablets. I refused. Nurses then went to doctor. Then three policemen came back to me and warned me “if you are not going to sign these papers then we will beat you up. I signed these papers under duress. Nurses went away. I was neither given any food nor water to drink. Police put handcuff and tied me up to bed the whole night. I was on bed number 22 and I do not remember the ward number. I requested police to get my handcuff off my hands but police refused. The whole night I slept on bed with handcuff in my hands and locked to bed. By morning my left hand was totally numb. Many doctors came and inquired but no treatment was given to me.

13.  Handcuffs were removed from my hands just for 20 minutes in the morning of 26^th January 2013 to go the toilet to answer nature’s call. After this span of 20 minutes of freedom to my left hand I was handcuffed again. At around 10.00 am I was given medicines. I refused again. Doctor then wrote on my discharge paper “Fit for lock up”.

14.  I was very weak and handcuffed even on 26^th January 2013, Republic day of my beloved country. I did not take even water. I did not take dinner. From the hospital I was dragged and brought to Bicholim Police Station at around 11.00 am with handcuffs on. I complained about handcuffs. Police told me “If we do not put handcuffs on you then what else to put on?” On this Republic day I was brought to harsh and uncomfortable realization that I as OBC and mulnivasi is just a slave in free India and my freedom struggle has just began through handcuffs in my left hand.

15.  At Bicholim Police Station my handcuffs were removed. I am not sure as to who gave permission to handcuff me.

16.  At 1.00 pm on 26^th January 2013 PSI Walke spoke to me at the Bicholim Police Station “We arrested you yesterday at 5.00 pm and now we will remand you for 14 days of judicial custody. This is a minor offence. You can take bail with two sureties. Now inform someone at home.” I told him that I was not allowed to call my mother and when my mother called on my mobile you snatched and destroyed my mobile.” PSI Walke retorted “You are still talking too much?” I told him “There is no fear to speak the truth.” I was then asked to call up my mother. I called my mother from police telephone and after that I was sent into police lock up again. Handcuffs were put again on my hands inside the lock up. Several policemen gathered and said “we now have some more time to beat you and torture you. We were not able to do it as you spend most of the time in hospital last night.” While I was being tortured and beaten up inside the police custody I noticed my mother walking from a distance and I cried aloud “Mummy”. My mother heard my cries and she started to walk towards police custody. One policeman came and stopped her and told her to go in some other direction where lawyer was waiting with bail application.

17.  Then on 26^th January 2013 while still in police custody I was forced to sign Memo of Arrest signed by T.P.Walke, PSI, Bicholim Police Station dated 25^th January 2013 that reads as “You are hereby informed that you have been placed under arrest in Bicholim P.S. Cr.No. 17/13 u/s 341 of I.P.C today i.e. on 25.01.2013 at 17.00 hrs. You are further informed that the said offence is a bailable offence  and you are entitled for bail.’ I also signed arrest form after consulting my lawyer. I have not restrained anyone to attract section 341 of I.P.C. and I hold that this police action is in total violation of my human right to life and dignity enshrined in the Constitution of India on the eve and on the day of the Republic Day 2013. Police did not return my pant, my cash and my gold chain till date even though I am released on bail and out of police custody.

18.  In my understanding Bicholim police acted in this manner with me under the directions from Rajaram Bandekar (Sirigao) Mines Pvt. Ltd as they have past history of using police and other bodies of state administration like Panchayat and BDO for their vested interest of capturing 1,19,000 square meters of my family land near my house in Sirigao.

19.  I pray that suitable action be taken against all the named Constable Venkat Marshal, PSI Tukaram Walke, Police Inspector Ninad Deulkar and unnamed policemen attached to Bicholim Police station responsible to my torture on 25^th and 26^th January 2013.

20.  I pray to you to do everything possible for this matter has not just caused grave harm to me but to the very core of the spirit of the Constitution of India that governs all people of India.

Thanking you,

Yours Sincerely,

Sd/-

(Babi Suresh Gaonkar)