Friday 28 November 2014

Stop violating Goa coastal peoples rights



Bharat Mukti Morcha condemns continues violations of fishing rights in Zuari river. Over the past one year there are intensified violations of fishing rights. The target group of these violations are the fishermen on the banks of river Zuari especially the villages of Odxel, Cacra, Nauxi, Bambolim and Siridao.

The violations are from three sources. Firstly the water sports activities inside the Zuari River. The water sports including speed boats have to stop, operations in Zuari River. Bharat Mukti Morcha calls upon the Chief Minister to act decisively and stop Hotel Grand Hyatt from operating the water sports/speed boats by revoking all the permissions granted through Fisheries department.

The second target of fishing violations of fishermen’s right has been from trawlers. In spite of legal ban on trawlers they continue to fish in Zuari River. Bharat Mukti Morcha calls upon Goa government to enforce the ban on trawlers to take immediate measures to enforce ban.

The third target of fishing rights violations are in the form mini purse seine fishing inside the river there by taking away en mass fish from Zuari River. Bharat Mukti Morcha calls upon Fisheries department to stop this. Bharat Mukti Morcha calls upon the Goa government to station permanent petrol boat inside the Zuari River to monitor activities of fishing rights violators namely trawlers, mini purse seiners, and cancel water sports permissions granted to Hotel Grand Hyatt.Bharat Mukti Morcha also notes that these fishermen have already been dispossessed of their cultivation lands by installing projects and various other real estate projects such as Aldeia de Goa, Hotel Grand Hyatt etc, and now their fishing rights are trampled upon in Zuari River.

For their daily livelihood they have to struggle to feed themselves and families whereby even the land where they used to cultivate is taken away for huge projects and lastly even spiritually they are not allowed to carry on the traditional litany at the Chapel and daily lighting of candles at the Cross as both have been included inside the compound wall of Hotel Grand Hyatt. This access to Chapel and the Cross on Bambolim beach must be opened to public for worship without any hindrances. The Chapel and the Cross is not constructed by hotel but it is a symbol of culture of freedom and faith sowed in Goa by St. Francis Xavier in 16th Century. This very faith we can see come alive as thousands of people every day flock to venerate sacred relics of St.Francis Xavier. The religious sentiments associated here are being hurt to the very core of the local people’s heart. Ancestors have kept such a high religious values installed in people that it is very difficult for anyone to interfere with people of such strong faith. In such a situation Hotel Grand Hyatt has nothing to look behind but only to give back to the local people what is the heritage of their ancestors, i.e. open up access to the Chapel and the Cross.


Summery:

1.   Hotel Grand Hyatt must stop water sports in Zuari river. Fisheries department must revoke permissions granted.
2.   Mini purse seine fishing in Zuari must stop.
3.   Trawlers fishing illegally in Zuari river must be stopped.
4.   Permanent patrol ship must be installed in Zuari river to protect interest of the traditional fishermen of Siridao, Bambolim, Nauxim, Odxel and Cacra.
5.   Hotel Grand Hyatt must open access to the Chapel and also to the Cross, both currently included within compound wall of the Hotel.
       
        Sd/-
Maggie Silveira

President (Goa State)

Monday 24 November 2014

Trawlers violate fishing rights in Zuari yet again

Today 24th November 2014 two trawlers were sighted in Zuari River thereby violating fishing rights of the traditional fishermen. The trawlers were sighted at 4.45 pm. Director; Fisheries department Sharmila Monteiro as well as Minister Fisheries Avertano Furtado was intimated with request to act. Marine Police were also contacted. At around 5.05 pm both the trawlers abandoned fishing and raced out of mouth of River Zuari before they were booked and penalized. Fisheries department was too slow in acting and interrogating these trawlers.  There is a need for permanent stationing of Police patrol boat in Zuari river so that offending trawlers like the once today are not allowed to escape the arms of law. Investigations are also needed as to whose trawlers that are repeatedly dare to violate the law.

Sunday 23 November 2014

Pictures of Bharat Mukti Morcha Public Meeting in Odxel

 Maggie Silveira, Goa State President, Bharat Mukti Morcha addressing public meeting in Odxel on 23rd November 2014. Motesh Antao and Rahul Gawas seen seated. 
 Sadanand Vaigankar, Bhahujan Mukti Party addressing the public meeting
 Public gathered leaning on canoes and bikes
 Elderly and Youth listening with rapt attention

Saturday 22 November 2014

Trawlers intercepted in Zuari river

On 22nd November 2014 at around 1.30 pm 5 trawlers were observed violating fishing rights in Zuari river. Minister of Fisheries, Goa Government was contacted by member of Panchayat Sanjay Pereira. The Patrol boat of the fisheries department came and intercepted the trawlers in the river. Bharat Mukti Morcha express satisfaction at the action.

Friday 21 November 2014

Fishing rights violations in Zuari river

The picture shows trawlers fishing in forbidden waters within 5 kms from the shore. Director of fisheries when contacted said that it has received complaint from Bharat Mukti Morcha and the Coast Police Station at Harbor, Vasco is directed to initiate action against the trawlers. Coastal Police did not take any action on 21st November as its boats were taken away for International Film Festival of India (IFFI) and the other boat was at Old Goa. So today no action was initiated.

Race war against tribes in Goa over fishing in Zuari River

Date: 21st November 2014
                           1
To,
The Governor
Government of Goa
Dona Paula, Goa


                           2
To,
The Chief Minister,
Government of Goa
Secretariat,
Porvorim,  Goa



                            3
To,
The Minister of Fisheries,
Government of Goa,
Secretariat,
Porvorim,
Goa


                           4
To,
The Chief Secretary,
Government of Goa,
Secretariat,
Porvorim,
Goa

                            5
To,
The Secretary (Fisheries)
Government of Goa,
Secretariat,
Porvorim,
Goa

                            6
To,
The Under Secretary (Fisheries),
Government of Goa,
Secretariat,
Porvorim,
Goa

                            7
To,
The Captain of Ports,
River Navigation Department
Panjim, Goa

                             8
To,
The Director,
Department of Tourism,
Panjim,  Goa

                           9                        
To,

The Director,
Department of Fisheries,
Government of Goa,
Panjim, Goa

                           10

To,
The Collector (North Goa),
Government of Goa
Panjim, Goa

                           11
To,
The Mamlatdar,
Tiswadi Taluka,
Panjim, Goa

                            12
To,
The Director-General of Police (DGP)
Police Headquarters,
Panjim, Goa

                         13
To,

The Superintendent of Police (North Goa)
Porvorim, Goa

                          14

To,
Vishnu Surya Wagh
The Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA)
St. Andre Constituency,
Goa



                            15
To,
The Parish Priest,
Our Lady of Bethlehem,
Bambolim
Goa

                         16
To
The Sarpanch,
Village Panchayat of Curca – Bambolim- Talaulim
Goa

                             17
To,

The Sarpanch,
Village Panchayat of Siridao
Goa

                         18
To,

The Sarpanch,
Village Panchayat of Taleigao,
Goa

                          19
To,
The Sarpanch,
Village Panchayat of Santa Cruz, Goa

                         20
To,
The Parish Priest,
Our Lady of Rosary Church,
Siridao, Goa




Subject:  Race war against traditional Siridao, Bambolim, Nauxim, Cacra and Odxel fishermen in Zuari river by Hotel Grand Hyatt through water sports, Trawlers and Mini Purse seining

Sir/Madam,

1.   As you may be already aware that through water sports including speed boats Hotel grand Hyatt has waged a war against the traditional fishermen fishing in Zuari river on the coast of Siridao, Bambolim, Nauxim, Cacra and Odxel villages. The chronology of the warfare politics played out over the past one year by Hotel Grand Hyatt is as follows:


Ø November 2013 Bambolim based Hotel Grand Hyatt allows its premises for water Sports Company named Aqua Sail. Water sports boats found sailing in the waters of Zuari river.
Ø On 21st November 2013 fishermen petitioned against water sports to Captain of Ports, Director of Fisheries, and concerned Panchayats of Zuari river coast from where affected traditional fishermen hail from.

Ø On 26th November 2013 fishermen complaint against this water sports activities harming fishing activities. These fishermen are traditional fishermen using canoes for fishing purpose in Zuari River.
Ø On 26th November 2013 No Objection Certificate (NOC) which was granted for water sports activities got revoked by fisheries department due to public pressure from fishermen.
Ø 10th December 2013 fishermen wrote detailed complaint to Goa Fisheries Minister objecting to the water sports activities in Zuari river at Bambolim – Nauxi-Siridao-Cacra-Odxel coast which is signed by 291 fishermen.
Ø 15th April 2014 NOC granted for water sports by Fisheries department.
Ø 19th April 2014 Water sports company files police complaint against fishermen of Bambolim in Agassain Police station. Police Inspector Devendra Gad visits Bambolim beach and confronts fishermen and slaps one fisherman Vishnu Kankonkar at 6 pm. Fishermen called to the police station. Matter is ‘compromised’ as Company withdraws complaint.
Ø 25th April 2014 - 20 water sports boats found obstructing traditional fishermen in Zuari River.
Ø 26th April 2014 traditional fishermen launched fresh investigation as to who issued permission to the water sports boats after their NOC being revoked on 26th November 2014.
Ø 02nd May 2014 then Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado visited Bambolim Beach at 12.30 pm without prior intimation to fishermen. Around 50-60 fishermen voiced their grievances about water sports.
Ø 09th May 2014 second letter of protest sent to Goa's Minister of Fisheries calling for immediate cancellation of No Objection Certificate (NOC) issued for speed boats to carry on water sports activities signed by 132 affected fishermen.
Ø From 19th October 2014 water sports boats again found obstructing traditional fishermen in Zuari River this continues till date.
Ø On 11th November 2014 officials of Hotel Grand Hyatt contacted Raghuvir Kankonkar and offered to bribe him. Raghuvir Kankonkar is a father of Vishnu Kankonkar who was slapped by PI Devendra Gad on 19th April 2014. Raghuvir refused bribe citing that he is not interested in compromise and he wants river protected for fishermen and their future generations.

Subversion of ministry roles

It is evident from the above chronology that there has been subversion of roles of the fisheries ministry. Fisheries ministry that is supposed to protect the interest of fishermen has been made to sacrifice interest of fishermen and promote interest of the luxury tourism lobby. This is indeed very serious development that needs sufficient analytical attention. How can Fisheries ministry of Goa government destroy interest of fishermen? How can it in the first place grant NOC for water sports? After the protest letter from the fishermen NOC for water sports were revoked. And after four months and twenty days it was granted again. That means the power of the protest from the affected fishermen expired after this period and fresh protests had to be launched. Discussion held by the leaders of the movement with the Director of fisheries revealed that there has been application of political pressure to over ride the interest of the traditional fishermen who are largely STs and OBCs. Bulldozing of the interest of the traditional fishermen in Zuari river is in fact bulldozing of interests of STs and OBCs. This also means coming face-to-face with reality that Ministry of Fisheries has been working against the interest of ST and OBC in this matter on the banks of Zuari River. This form of racial discrimination practiced by Goa Government and Hotel Grand Hyatt needs open public acknowledgement and then mitigation. Failing on this part could snow ball into intensified tensions.

You are therefore advised to take immediate measures of cancelling permissions granted for water sports and speed boats and stop Hotel Grand Hyatt from operating their water sports boats and stop war against traditional fishermen.

2.   Trawling inside the Zuari River is causing great harm to the fisheries. Trawling inside rivers is banned by law and you are advised to implement the ban and stop this practice so deeply dangerous to sustenance of fishing by traditional fishermen. Trawling is allowed only 5 kms away from the beach inside Arabian Sea.
3.   We also noted that there is completely unsustainable fishing practice known as mini Purse seining currently in vogue in Zuari river. This is carried on by fishing vessels that are technologically equipped with under water cameras. The mini Purse seining fishing has already caused body blow to sustainable fisheries as the species of fish is destroyed completely with this mode of fishing. This commands immediate attention and action. You are advised to stop this on priority.

We want to let you know that Whites while taking control of America from the Red Indians resorted to mass hunting of the animals that Red Indians used to consume for living. Chief Seattle’s speech is rich in these expressions. It was a racist strategy by which Whites invaded American indigenous people. We are indigenous people of India and same racist warfare strategy has been deployed to destroy us by disrupting our traditional fishing in Zuari River through the above three points namely Water sports, trawling and Mini Purse seining.

Awaiting your positive response for the cause of humanity, ecology and sustainable fisheries,

Thanking you in anticipation.

Yours sincerely,


         Sd/-

Maggie Silveira
President, Bharat Mukti Morcha, Goa State Unit



          Sd/-
Rahul Gawas
Convener, Bharat Mukti Morcha, Tiswadi Taluka unit



         Sd/-
Sanjay Pereira
Convener, Bharat Mutkti Morcha, Cacra unit




           Sd/-
Rohidas Andrade
Convener, Bharat Mukti Morcha, Bambolim unit



           Sd/-
Soccoro Braganza
Convener, Bharat Mukti Morcha, Siridao unit



           Sd/-
Anthony Cardozo
Convener, Bharat Mukti Morcha, Curca Unit



        Sd/-
Sitaram Pereira
Convener, Bharat Mukti Morcha, Odxel Unit



       Sd/-
Milind Palkar

Convener, Bharat Mukti Morcha, Nauxi unit

Thursday 20 November 2014

Bharat Mukti Morcha deplores irresponsible attitude of Fisheries Director

On 20th November 2014 member of local Panchayat Sanjay Pereira of Cacra confronted the Director of Fisheries Sharmila Monteiro on non-action against speed boats, water sports, mini-purse seining and trawling in Zuari river.

Sanjay questioned the Director as for the reasons of inaction on the part of the department in spite of repeated complaints of fishing rights violations. Sanjay told director “first they took away our land and set up University and hotels, and now they are taking away our river where we carry on our fishing. How are we to survive? What about our children? How are we to educate them? Or they are also to remain uneducated like us and wander about?  Today I have come alone to you but I can also come to your office with hundred people”
Director of Fisheries called Sanjay irrational to raise all these issues and told him to keep patience for this tourism season. It is very surprising that Director of Fisheries is concerned more of tourism than of fishing.


Bharat Mukti Morcha terms this behavior of the Director of Fisheries totally unacceptable and calls upon her to put full stop to the repeated violations of fishing rights of coastal people at Siridao, Bambolim, Nauxim, Cacra and Odxel. For this purpose strong action is needed against the trawlers violating laws and fishing in Zuari river, revoke permissions granted to Hotel Grand Hyatt for water sports activities and ban confiscate mini purse seining boats.

Wednesday 19 November 2014

Fishermen on Zuari river begins organising for Liberation


Sanjay Pereira from Cacra, member of  Panchayat addressing Bharat Mukti Morcha corner meeting in Bambolim on 19th November 2014. Rahul Gawas stands next to him to left and Milind Palkar on his right. Raghuvir Kankonkar and Maggie Silveira, State President, Bharat Mukti Mrocha  are seen seated. Fishermen here organising themselves against constant violations of their rights in Goa's Zuari river by trawlers, mini purse seining and water sports activities.

Bharat Mukti Morcha condemns police violence against Bambolim mulnivasi fisherman

Bharat Mukti Morcha condemns Agasaim Police inspector Devendra Gad for slapping Vishnu Kankonkar on April 19, 2014 on Bambolim beach.

The Police Inspector has transgressed his police duties in order to slap Vishnu Kankonkar, a fisherman in Zuari river from Bambolim.

Fishermen of late has been agitating against the infringement of their fishing rights after Hotel Grand Hyatt commissioned water sports with speed boats in the Zuari river.

Fishermen has raised objections to the authorities and once succeeded in convincing fisheries department to revoke the No Objection Certificate (NOC) granted to Speed boats for tourism purpose.

Police Inspector Devendra Gad has intervened on behalf of the Hotel Grand Hyatt as if he belongs to their private security team and slapped Vishnu Kankonkar.   


This very act of his is so harmful to himself as he does not know the value of mulnivasis even though he himself is a mulnivasi but acted on behalf of Bamon raj to suppress the uprising of the fishermen. It is a shame for him to raise his hand for those who are fighting for the true cause of humanity and mulnivasi’s freedom.

Vanxim report from the Court room of 18.11.2014

The great Vanxim trial charging Vanxim women of theft of tripod began in the Court of the Judicial Magistrate First Class at Panaji ‘D’ Court today 18th November 2014. The case no 227/14/D came up for hearing today after the gap of three years and eight days of the alleged theft of a tripod, criminal intimidation, unlawful assembly, wrongful restrain and intentional insult with intend to provoke breach of Peace involving villagers of Vanxim on one side and the Bruno Ferrao and Ozone group on the other. Sections of Indian Penal Code imposed includes 379, 506, 143, 341, and 504. If Charges are proved especially of the theft then the four women are facing three years behind the bars. Trial is likely to began in the next hearing fixed for January 08, 2015.
Today’s hearing required all the four women of Vanxim accused in this case to be present in the court. All the four women were present in the court room. The three women Anuradha Volvoikar, Swati Volvoikar and Deepika Tari had corporate lawyer to represent them. It is indeed an unusually suspicious occasion as to why the very corporate who filed the criminal cases against them through Bruno Ferrao had also to provide the lawyer to defend them. It is in bad taste, in fact humiliating act for self-respecting people of Vanxim that these three women had accepted the lawyer from the very corporate that seeks to grab the island of Vanxim.    Maggie Silveira had a separate lawyer to defend her as she and her family is not the party to any kind of compromises with Bamon Mahendra Gaunekar.

These three women have not only sold their self-respect but also sold their very integrity which means everything to a person of dignity.
These three women have gone very low to betray the people of our Vanxim island and NGOs of different places of Goa who stood by us up to 2 am in the morning of our release after 12 November 2011 arrests.
Maggie Silveira, President, Bharat Mukti Morcha and Ilha de Vanxim Association stands committed from the 8th August 2010 till date in defense of Vanxim with high respect to the people of Vanxim as a whole and all the NGOs of Goa that were present the whole day of November 12, 2011 till the way beyond mid night.


Maggie hereby stands with all the blessings of the ancestors – dead, our elderly people (living) and all the good wishes of our people staying in Vanxim and different parts of the World.

Jai Mulnivasi!

Saturday 15 November 2014

Bharat Mukti Morcha extends solidarity with Fishermen in Zuari river

Bharat Mukti Morcha today took a decision to extend support to struggling fishermen in Zuari river against threats posed by tourism industry. In a meeting held in Panjim today Bharat Mukti Morcha noted the following:

Casual review of unfolding of events in Mandovi River over the past 10 months is critical to be taken note of in chronological form.
Ø  November 2013 Bambolim based Hotel Grand Hyatt allows its premises for water Sports Company named Aqua Sail. Water sports boats found sailing in the waters of Zuari river.
Ø  On 26th November 2013 fishermen complaint against this water sports activities harming fishing activities. These fishermen are traditional fishermen using canoes for fishing purpose in Zuari River.
Ø  On 21st November 2013 fishermen petitioned against water sports to Captain of Ports, Director of Fisheries, Director of fisheries and concerned Panchayats of Zuari river coast from where affected traditional fishermen hail from.
Ø  On 26th November 2013 No Objection Certificate (NOC) granted for water sports activities revoked by fisheries department.
Ø  10th December 2013 fishermen wrote detailed complaint to Goa Fisheries Minister Avartano Furtado objecting to the water sports activities in Zuari river at Bambolim – Nauxi-Siridao-Cacra-Odxel coast.
Ø  15th April 2014 NOC granted for water sports by Fisheries department.
Ø  19th April 2014 Water sports company files police complaint against fishermen of Bambolim in Agassain Police station. Police Inspector Devendra Gad visits Bambolim beach and confronts fishermen and slaps one fisherman Vishnu Kankonkar at 6 pm. Fishermen called to the police station. Matter is ‘compromised’ as Company withdraws complaint.
Ø  25th April 2014 20 water sports boats found obstructing traditional fishermen in Zuari River.
Ø  26th April 2014 traditional fishermen launched fresh investigation as to who issued permission to the water sports boats after their NOC being revoked on 26th November 2014.
Ø  02nd May 2014 Then Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado visited Bambolim Beach at 12.30 pm without prior intimation to fishermen. Around 50-60 fishermen voiced their grievances about water sports. He went inside hotel for unknown reasons.
Ø  09th May 2014 second letter of protest sent to Goa's Minister of Fisheries calling for immediate cancellation of No Objection Certificate (NOC) issued for speed boats to carry on water sports activities.

Ø  From July 2014 prosecution of Sanjay Pereira, one of the leaders of the traditional fishermen begins. He has been accused of violating CRZ regulations and demolition of his house has been kept as a fear and de-motivator factor so that he stops speaking in defense of traditional fishermen. This is very alarming as the law CRZ that was formed to protect coast has been applied in order to silence dissent.


Bharat Mukti Morcha salutes brave Vanxim women! Well done! You inspire us!



First Class session court at Panjim ‘D’ Court issued summons to four women on 16th October 2014 one month before deadline expires on 12th November 2014. It was sent to Old Goa police station on 28th October 2014. It was handed over to Maggie Silveira on 13th November 2014. The summons ordered all the four women accused under criminal sections listed below to appear before the Court in person at 2.30 pm on Tuesday 18th October 2014. As a mark of Solidarity you are welcome to attend the Court with brave Vanxim women.

Criminal Sections involved:



Theft (Section 379 of IPC with provisions for three years of imprisonment): this is registered even after confiscated tripod was handed over to police, on November 12, 2014, 



Criminal intimidation (Section 506 of IPC with provisions of two years of imprisonment),



Unlawful assembly (Section 143 of IPC with provisions of six months of imprisonment),



Wrongful restraint (Section 341 of IPC with provisions of one month of imprisonment),



Intentional insult with intend to provoke breach of peace (Section 504 of IPC with provisions for two years of imprisonment).



These sections of Indian Penal Code have been invoked against four women of Vanxim – Maggie Silveira, Anuradha Volvoikar, Swati Volvoikar and Deepika Tari.



The message is crystal clear ‘If you do not stop your opposition to Bamon Raj and corporate take over of Vanxim then your place is in jail. Also letter from PI Francis Corte dated 15th November 2011 also makes it clear that Bamon Raj is opposed to Bharat Mukti Morcha standing in defense of on ground resistance to Bamon Raj. The Summons indicates direct challenge to Bharat Mutkti Morcha’s agenda to attain freedom from Bamon Raj. Here we share reflections on this deep rooted conspiracy of Bamon Raj to abuse police and judiciary against mulnivasi people.



Issue at hand involves Vanxim island in Mandovi River consisting around 180 acres of residential, agricultural, and mangroves land that Bamon Raj is attempting to take over in order to construct Golf Course, Five Star Hotel, Private villas, Private marinas, Spa, Casinos etc. Local people are to be pressured to move out of the island by dishing out ‘carrot and stick’ policy. Several people in Vanxim have been offered money and those who are refusing have been awarded with framing of police cases and then charge sheets for intimidation purpose.



This is an incident of November 10, 2011 in Vanxim when women resisted corporate surveyors from undertaking survey work.



Charge sheet was prepared and submitted to the Court by Old Goa PI Krishna Sinari through PSI Sagun Sawant in August 2014 under direct intervention of then Chief Minister Bamon Manohar Parrikar.



Mahendra Gaunekar made repeated trips to Old Goa Police station to get police to submit charge sheet to the Court for the purpose of prosecution. Since his pressure was not enough he got Chief Minister to direct the Old Goa Police Station.



According to reliable sources PA to then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, Mr.Sidharth Concolienkar came personally to Old Goa police station in August 2014 and brokered deal with police to prepare the charge sheet and submits the same to the magistrate Court in Panjim. This means that Manohar Parrikar is highly and directly  involved in suppressing Vanxim protests and he too is scared of women in Vanxim. Imagine state of India’s defense when its defense minister is scared of four women and press for filing of charge-sheet for them to stay in jail for 3 years for alleged theft of tripod from the hands of four men who identified themselves as Bruno Ferrao, Sadanand, Manju, and Narayan Swami.



In a letter addressed by Vanxim women on 10th November 2011 – the day of the incident described the friction with corporate in following words “Sir, we the Mahilas of Ilha de Vanxim Association, Bharat Mukti Morcha, went to ask them the following:- who is your supervisor? Who has sent you’ll here? How can you’ll come to our land (Vanxim) and do such an activity? When the cases of our entire villages are going on before the deputy collector’s court every 15 days who gave you’ll this authority? We asked them for their id card proof, which they did not have. We also asked them for NOC of Panchayat. That too they did not have. They got aggressive towards us & threatened us. So we took their instrument called (Tripod) and kept with us. We will not give the instrument. Our conditions (1) They must stop coming to Vanxim (2) And all of them must give Ilha de Vanxim Association & Bharat Mukti Morcha apology letter. Our Mahilas names:- Ms Maggie Silveira, Anuradha Volvoikar, Deepika Tari, Swati Volvoikar. The male present threatened us are Bruno Ferrao, Sadanand, Manju and Narayan Swami”. This letter was given to the Old Goa Police on the day of the confrontation itself namely on 10th November 2011.



Police inspector Francis Corte sent call letter dated 11.11.2011 asking women to remain present at the Old Goa Police Station at 10.00 am regarding enquiry into the application dated 10.11.2011 filed at Old Goa Police Station.



Women along with the entire villagers only excluding the Furtado family visited Old Goa Police Station at 10.00 am but PI Francis Corte was absent. They waited till 11.30 am and then wrote following letter to the PI Francis Corte with a subject liner reading “Your failure to remain present at Police Station”. Text of the letter that shook the police station and refused to take inward “Sir, as we were provided the call letter to remain present at Old Goa Police station on 12/11/2011 at 10.00 hours regarding enquiry into our application dated 10/11/2011 filed at Old Goa Police Station. We came at 10.00 am and waited upto 11.30 am for your arrival. We cannot wait any longer. We protest your absence and failure to remain present at the police station and conduct the scheduled enquiry of our complaint. You are therefore requested to register FIR against Bruno Ferrao, Sadanand, Manju & Rama Swami. Failure to do so on your part within 24 hours will prompt us to initiate further action.”



Police refused to enter this letter on record and instead called PI Francis Corte and he was there at the Police station within 10 minutes. It is learnt that he was conspiring against mulnivasis of Vanxim with Bamon Mahendra Gaunekar and MLA Pandurang Madkaikar at a nearby residence of Pandurang Madkaikar in Old Goa.



As soon he entered the police station he put the four women under arrest even while they were seating inside his cabin before they were released on bail at mid night.



Then on 15.11.2011 three days after the arrests PI Francis Corte wrote a letter No. PI/OLG/9965/2011 addressed as follows making his total alliance with bamon Raj ample clear:-



To,



Smt.Maggie Silveira,

Ilha de Vanxim Association &

Chief of Bharat Mukti Morcha &

Mahila of Bharat Mukti Morcha,

EM, Vanxim, P.O. Piedade,

Diwar, Ilhas, Goa.



Sub: Regarding your complaint dated 10.11.2011



Please refer your complaint dated 10.11.2011 addressed to Police Inspector, Old Goa Police Station. In this connection due enquiries were caused into your complaint and it is revealed that you along with 15 other residents of Vanxim village formed an unlawful assembly and restrained one Bruno Ferrao and his team and further stole away tripod stand W/Rs. 25,000/- abused in filthy words and threatened with dire consequences. In this connection an offence vide Old Goa P.S. Cr.No. 142/2011 u/s 143, 341, 379, 504, 506 r/w 149 IPC stands registered against you and 15 others. No Cognizable case is made out into your complaint is filed at this police station.



This is for information.



Sd/-



(F.X.Corte)

Police Inspector

Old Goa Police Station



PI Corte’s bias against mulnivasis of Vanxim in 2011 is clearly visible in his above letter. He is such a loyal servant of his Bamon masters for want of his cake that he received to arrest four ladies without their fault as they only came forward to protect Vanxim island.



Police Inspector who signed this Charge sheet in August 2014 is Krishna Sinari, along with PSI Sagun Sawant as investigating officer.



Let’s check as to How many bamons directly involved in this episode in war against mulnivasi people



(1)         Archbishop Felipe Neri Ferrao who sold Vanxim without informing people on in February 11, 2006 and a primary enemy of Vanxim people. He is a prime culprit who should be thrown out as Archbishop of Goa. What he did in Vanxim sale is classic case of loot and plunder and transfer of funds into devil’s dens in Swiss bank. He can no longer be called as Good Shepherd leading the Catholics. He can at best be called as mafia which is truly suiting him. Isn’t it? Such a low level dignity is going to bless and inaugurate Khuris dos Milagres retreat centre at Old Goa which is funded by People of Goa and not by Bishop Mafia. What a disgrace to have blessings from such hands. People of Goa cannot be fooled as late Mathany Saldanha said “Bishop’s house is the house of business beurocracy.”



(2)         Mahendra Gaunekar who purchased Vanxim from the Archbishop with majority underhand dealings and re-sold it to Ozone corporate. Being a Goan he is a destroyer of Goa.

(3)         Bruno Ferrao who is manager of Mahendra Gaunekar and was leading attack on Vanxim on November 10, 2011

(4)         Manohar Parrikar, current Defense Minister of India who while he was Chief Minister of Goa pressured Old Goa Police Station to frame charge-sheet against four women of Vanxim. He sent his PA to Old Goa Police station in August 2014 to get this done. Mr.Parrikar was also Home Minister with complete control over police department.

(5)         Mr. Sidharth Kuncolienkar, PA to Manohar Parrikar who visited Old Goa Police station and got this charge sheet framed and supervised its forwarding to the Court within time limits.



(6)          Krishna Sinari, Police Inspector of Old Goa station who signed Charge-sheet and forwarded to the Court for prosecution through PSI Sagun Sawant.



Bamon Mahendra Gaunekar, Archbishop Felipe Neri Ferrao and Ozone corporate tried unsuccessfully various tricks till July 2014 to get Maggie Silveira booked in fresh criminal case by laying various traps in Vanxim. Last attempt was on 29 July 2014 involving government employee of electricity department Manoj Parab from Vanxim.



Goa Archbishop Bamon Felipe Neri Ferrao sold Vanxim officially for less than Rs. 55 lakhs. Underhand amount that Archbishop received according to informed estimates runs into astronomical figure of Rs.250 crores - several times more than imagination of many. This is not a robbery as it is carried on by team of Bamons! Confiscation of tripod by women of Vanxim in the interest of their Island and handing over tripod to Police is a robbery! What a law we have in front of us to safeguard the women of Goa! Woman plays a major role to take care of the entire house, the same way these four women came forward to take care of entire village. It’s a brave, mighty and excellent decision of these four women to do so. Kudos to them and the villagers who stood by these four women up to 2.00 am in the morning. We are also proud of the NGOs from different parts of Goa present till 2.00 am.



There are four women against whom this case is registered. The first accused is Maggie Silveira, who is a President of Bharat Mukti Morcha, Goa State, also the President of Ilha de Vanxim Association. The other three Vanxim women are Anuradha Volvoikar, Swati Volvoikar and Deepika Tari.



The bamon raj is so scared of these four women that it has decided to brand them as thieves and prosecute them under section 379 of the Indian Penal Court. And what is robbed by these women? A tripod! For what use the tripod is for these women? Nothing! So why did the women take away tripod from the unidentified men carrying on illegal survey work in Vanxim? It was an act of defiance against the Bamon Raj wanting to grab mulnivasi lands in Vanxim. It was an act of defiance to assert their authority over Vanxim. And what did the women do after confiscating the tripod? They went to the police station and gave in writing that they have confiscated the tripod in order to stop illegal survey work. The surveyors did no carry any authority letter from Panchayat or any of the government offices to authorize survey work in Vanxim when the court cases are going on in deputy collector’s court and mamlatdar’s court, how they can carry on survey work?



Constitution of India under Article 51A (g) makes it fundamental duty of every citizen to protect environment. Vanxim project is in violation of CRZ and other laws. Not only this Goa government through its past Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar dated 16th April 2014 addressed to the then Indian Minister of Environment and Forest Dr.M.Veerappa Moily has declared this even further.



“The State is blessed with seven rivers and covers length of 253 kms. Approximately. The state is committed to conserve its natural heritage by regulating development around the rivers; and hence has subjected the areas around rivers under the Coastal Zone Regulation with No development Zone’s of 100 meters from the bank of the rivers on all sides; thereby imposing serious land use restriction.



The State’s Coastal areas are full of Mangroves and Khazan land and development around mangroves and on Khazan land is banned by the State Government as voluntary measure to protect the ecological heritage of the State and to maintain ecological balance in the State.”



Vanxim is right in the middle of Mandovi river and declaration of Mr.Parrikar is applicable here. Further Mr. Manohar Parrikar had declared “40 % of the land is under agriculture which the government has decided not to be diverted.” Vanxim is full of agricultural land.



It is very surprising that in April 2014 he himself defends ecology and agriculture, and four months later in August 2014 he orders criminal proceedings against the ground level defenders of ecology and agriculture. Mr.Parrikar is untrue to his own words and its disgrace for the nation that such a man with proven unreliability on himself has been crowned as defense Minister of India. He is sure to wreck India’s defense to a new record low. Earlier he is relieved of this post better it is for his words even in writing he is incapable of staying faithful to. He is faithful only to the bamon raj interest and not to the interests of mulnivasis or the country. Like a typical bamon he only uses mulnivasis to further the agenda of bamon raj interest. It will certainly be his hidden agenda to build defense for the bamons and weaken mulnivasis; after all they are Eurasian invaders on India and what better can be expected from them?



Later it was revealed that then PI Francis Corte from Divar was paid up by Ozone corporate and Bamon Gaunekar combined. State support was granted by local MLA Pandurang Madkaikar. Currently PI Francis Corte is posted in Panjim as he was caught in bribing during last Assembly elections on behalf of Congress party and was suspended from service. He was taken back after personal intervention of earlier Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.



Any way the question is as why then CM of Goa and current defense minister of India Manohar Parrikar had to press Old Goa Police Station to prepare and forward charge sheet to the Judicial Magistrate First Class at Panjim? What kind of deal has gone through? How much money has been transferred to him and his BJP over the table and under the table? These issues are relevant considering that at the time of protests in 2011 November it was congress government that was in power while today Congress has lost and BJP has come to power. Then in 2011 it was Bamon Digambar Kamat was in power while in August 2014 it was Bamon Manohar Parrikar was in Power. What has changed is Parties in rule, Bamons has not changed after the transition. Bamon replaced bamon even though BJP replaced Congress in election to the State Assembly. Whichever Party loses elections bamon raj wins! Whichever party wins elections mulnivasis loose. This is because bamons as a tiny minority of India is organized to rule over us mulnivasis through various political parties such as Congress, BJP etc. For us solutions is straight forward: organize as mulnivasis across the country and take on the might of the Bamon Raj. Bharat Mukti Morcha is involved in this historic task and that’s main reason Bamon Raj is repeatedly targets us to stall the efforts. After all if mulnivasis become aware of their identity as mulnivasis why would they keep Bamons on their head? They will throw Bamons right on ground for them to have mighty fall. Bamons do not want to give up their privileges gained through oppressing and exploiting, looting and fleecing mulnivasi people for so many centuries altogether. This is the reason they are using Police, Judiciary, Sate Assemblies, all other decision making authorities for the promotion of Bamon Raj.



Even DNA report proved that male Bamons are not Indians and Times of India even blasted it out on its page 1 on 21 May 2001 issue. So the path of freedom movement of mulnivasi people of India is clear: March forward unhindered by any threats from Bamon Raj. The very fact that the charge sheet is filed against the President of Bharat Mukti Morcha Maggie Silveira along with three other women itself shows that movement against Bamon Raj has moved far ahead and the enemy is desperate to foil the movement of mulnivasis and that’s why the charge sheet is filed against four women in defense of Vanxim.



Bharat Mukti Morcha is not for any compromise on Vanxim and will continue to oppose and expose Bamon Raj in manner most befitting. Do share these views and writings with your friends and spread the awareness. In this way you will help in great task so exciting and daring guts of Vanxim women inspires all of us to carry the torch ahead with head held high.



We are marching ahead to overthrow bamon Raj. Come join the march. Let’s together shatter Bamon Raj!



Viva Bharat Mukti Morcha!



Viva Mahilas of Vanxim!



Viva Goa!



Jai Mulnivasi!