500 people sign petition to revoke permission granted to mobile towers at Bambolim and Nauxim

13th August 2015 

Inward entry given on 23rd September 2015 at 12.50 pm



To,

The Sarpanch,

Curca-Bambolim-Telaulim-Nauxim Panchayat

Tiswadi, Goa

Subject: Call to revoke N.O.C granted to Mobile towers at Bambolim and Nauxim

Dear Madam,

Bharat Mukti Morcha strongly calls upon you to immediately revoke the N.O.C. granted by you for setting up of mobile towers in Bambolim near Aldeia de Goa gate and another one at Nauxim inside the compound wall of Aldeia de Goa. In addition we have received information that third tower too is going to be installed in Nauxim village. We are surprised that you gave N.O.C. without consulting the villagers with radiation risks are imminent.

We have already submitted our protests and objections for mobile towers to Goa State Pollution Control Board, Panjim on 30th July 2015. These high capacity mobile towers will cause radiation not only to the Nauxim village but several surrounding villages such as Bambolim, Telaulim, Curca, Cacra, Siridao, Odxel etc. White invaders massacred aborigines of America through bloody wars during past 5 centuries and we aborigines of Goa are now sought to be killed through radiation from mobile towers in Nauxim and Bambolim. We will not allow it. We want all these mobile towers to be uprooted.

Bharat Mukti Morcha calls upon you to immediately revoke N.O.C. granted to install mobile towers at Nauxim and Bambolim.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,
       Sd/-
Rohidas Andrade and 499 others.

Goa Fisheries bureaucracy suffers collapse

In-river evidence from Zuari confirms that there is total collapse of Fisheries bureaucracy in the State of Goa. It's Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado and Director of Fisheries Dr. Shamila Monteiro are the two efficient wreck-in-chiefs. Director seem to have completed her doctorate yet hardly understands ABC of fisheries and continues to encourage illegal fishing by trawlers. On the Citizen's Charter of the Fisheries Department Shamila Monteiro is recorded as Superintendent of Fisheries. Dr.Monteiro is adept at using politcal pressure ans silencing voices of dissent and she did try this with Bharat Mukti Morcha in various ways and unfailingly Bharat Mukti Morcha has retaliated with mighty retaliations.  Now she has roped in Fisheries Minister for her support. Goa's Minister Avertano Furtado himself has taken responsibility to promote illegal fishing in Zuari in telephonic conversation with Rohidas Andrade on September 03, 2015. These are truly disgraceful days for Goa. 

Bharat Mukti Mukti Morcha will continue to publish dairy of illegalities inside Zuari River River though Fisheries Department is currently ruled by powers that has taste for not only illegal fishing through trawling but also taste for arrogance.

This time we consider it very important to note that Trawling way of fishing is completely unsustainable that digs out the ground as if to dig out buried landmines of Second World War thereby disrupting fertile fish breeding grounds. This has been the ground of protests by large number of traditional fishermen 'Ramponkars' ever since trawlers were introduced by Shashikala Kakodkar in the decade of 1970.

We have taken note of one of the trawler organizations leader from Vasco on Television stating that trawlers are carrying on the fishing in Zuari River because there is no fish available in Arabian Sea. That means trawler and other variety of fishing has already depleted Arabian Sea and now all out to deplete the same in Zuari River even though it is illegal to do so. Their audacity coupled with irresponsible Fisheries bureaucracy in Goa has been creating uncalled for havoc for traditional Fishermen in Zuari hailing from various villages such as Dona Paula, Odxel, Cacra, Nauxim, Bambolim, Siridao, Agassaim, Cortalim, Sancoale, Madkai etc. Investigation is needed as to what factors led to depletion of fish in Zuari river and drastic remedial measures needs to be taken to reverse the process towards regeneration of fish breeding grounds in Arabian Sea.

Bharat Mukti Morcha resolutely stands in defense of traditional fishing in the State of Goa. We hereby share latest dairy of the fishing rights violations in Zuari River maintained by Bharat Mukti Morcha units on Zuari Coast.

2.    4^th September 2015 13 trawlers carried illegal fishing in Zuari River at from 3.00 pm till 4.30 pm

3.    5^th September 2015 at 8.00 am till 11.00 am 12 trawlers carried on illegal fishing in Zuari River. In the evening 8 trawlers carried on illegal fishing in Zuari River from 3.00 pm to 7.00 pm. Police at Harbour police station were contacted but refused to act. Police informed that their patrolling boat is not in working condition.

4.    7^th September 2015 at 11.00 am 2 trawlers carried on illegal fishing in Zuari River. At this time Superintendent of Fisheries Chandrakant Velip was in the village along with the Patrolling Boat of the Fisheries Department. Around 95 traditional fishermen gathered together for a meeting on Zuari coast at Cacra village along with their canoes. Meeting was called by Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado and was to be attended also by Director of Fisheries Dr.Shamila Monteiro. But none of them – Minister as well as the Director came for the meeting for the reasons best known to the Minister Avertano Furtado and the Director of Fisheries Dr. Shamila Monteiro. This meeting was decided in the Secretariat in the Chamber of the Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado on August 31, 2015 after discussions with Sanjay Pereira.  Superintendent of Fisheries Chandrakant Velip was told by the traditional fishermen that they are opposed to the trawlers carrying on illegal fishing in Zuari River and instructed fisheries department to implement law strictly. He also agreed to prepare a report of his visit and submit it the Ministry with copy to the Fishermen.

5.    11^th September 2015 at 7.00 am 8 trawlers illegally carried on illegal fishing in Zuari River. The at 5.00 pm 12 trawlers carried on illegal fishing.

6.    On 12^th September at 7.30 am 17 trawlers carried on illegal fishing in Zauri River. Then at 5.00 pm again 17 trawlers were noticed carrying on illegal fishing in Zuari River.

7.    13^th September 2015 illegal fishing in Zuari river was carried on by 22 trawlers at 5.55 pm.

8.    14^th September 2015 at 6.50 am 25 trawlers carried on illegal fishing in Zuari river.

9.    On the same day of 14 September 2015 at 4.10 pm another 25 trawlers carried on illegal fishing in Zuari River. Illegal fishing has extended right up to Agacaim – Cortalim Bridge in Zuari River.

10. On 20^th September 2015 at 8.15 am 5 trawlers carried on illegal fishing in Zuari river within one kilometer distance of Nauxi-Cacra-Odxel coastal shoreline. Police at Harbor Police station were contacted by Rohidas Andrade over the phone at time when the illegalities were going on. Police refused to act on the pretext that their boats are broken down and the fisheries department must get their boats to combat illegal fishing by Trawlers in Zuari River.

   

Goa State Fisheries Minister turns aggressive promoter of illegalities in Zuari River

From the way events unfolded today a new chapter has been added to Goa's history: Its Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtadao has turned into aggressive promoter of illegalities in Zuari river. This was revealed in a dramatic manner today early morning at 6.00 am. At this time traditional fishermen from Sirdao, Cacra, Bambolim, Odxel, Nauxim etc were already carrying on fishing in Zuari river. Then all together 40 trawlers came and started indulging in illegal fishing. 

Traditional fishermen from Sirdao, Cacra, Nauxim, Bambolim called the Harbor police but there was no response from them for they just did not pick up the receiver. Then they called up the Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado and complained to him about the illegal fishing being carried out by trawlers who are licensed to carry on fishing only in Arabian Sea and not in Zuari river. 

Avertano refused to comply and told local fishermen from Siridao that he will not act against trawlers violating the law in place. He asked the traditional fishermen to go in their canoes and attack trawlers in the middle of the Zuari river. This response shocked the traditional fishermen in Zuari river as the Minister who was often referred to as 'gentleman' has suddenly transformed himself into a mountain of arrogance. He looked suddenly drained out of his patience and the spirit of justice has departed from  his life. He no longer cares for the law or the Constitution of India by which he swore by when he was inducted into cabinet and allotted fishing portfolio.

Then he received one sms from traditional Fishermen on Zuari coast calling Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado arrogant. This led him to loose his mental patience and cool totally. He called up fishermen in Bambolim and warned him that till President of Bharat Mukti Morcha speaks to him today he will get trawlers to carry on illegal fishing all over Zuari.

This utterances of desperation from the Fisheries Minister indicate that Bharat Mukti Morcha has been marching forward in its task of challenging Bamon Raj in Goa. Earlier on 31st August 2015 meeting was called to strike a compromise on various issues on which Zuari coastal fishermen has been confronting Goa government time and again. Bharat Mukti Morcha was served letter by Fisheries department Superintendent of Fisheries after this meeting was concluded. So clearly Minister never wanted Bharat Mukti Morcha for the meeting. And even if the letter was received on time Bharat Mukti Morcha would never compromise on any of the issues in Zuari river - Marinas, Water sports, illegal fishing by trawlers etc.

Bharat Mukti Morcha considers it is a pity that Goa has a Minister in Avertano Furtado whose legs are so agile on Football field and could fly to Brazil has messed up affairs on illegalities in Zuari. 

Few months ago Superintended of Fisheries had served letter to few trawler co-operatives in Vasco warning them for carrying on illegal fishing in Zuari river. Fisheries department then took a U-turn and started aggressively promoting illegal trawling. this aggression was first demonstrated by Director of Fisheries Dr.Shamila Monteiro and Fishing Minister himself has demonstrated same killer instinct to promote illegal fishing. 

Here is a past month diary of illegal fishing that was carried on in Zuari river under the supervision of Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado and Director Dr. Shamila Monteiro, the two culprits who used their power to plunder Zuari and put Harbor police to sleep. Both of them will be remembered for their actions. For their actions reveals State Rule by terror tactics. We will not be surprised if India's defense Minister Bamon Manohar Parrikar is involved in all this.

1.    9^th August 2015 from 7.00 am to 10.30 am 2 trawlers in Zuari River violating law carried on illegal fishing.

2.    15^th August 2015 at 2.30 pm 30 trawlers in Zuari River carried on fishing illegally. Open violations on 68^th Independence Day of India.

3.    16^th August 2015 carried on fishing early morning when it was dark. 18 trawlers were noticed carrying on illegal fishing nearing 7.00 am. Coastal police alerted at 7.00 am, trawlers went away. Then 2 trawlers came again at 9.30 am and carried on illegal fishing till 4.00 pm. Director of Fisheries Dr. Shamila Monteiro was contacted over the phone and informed of these flagrant violations of fishing rights. Director said she will settle the matter and will not allow any more violations. She is giving all fake promises continuously for months together. Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado was contacted over the phone and informed of continuing violations of fishing rights in Zuari.

4.    17^th August 2015 at 6.30 am 9 trawlers were found to carry on illegal fishing in Zuari River.

5.    19^th August 2015 from 11.00 am beyond 3.30 pm two trawlers carried on illegal fishing near Siridao coast in Zuari river.

6.    20^th August 2015 from 6.00 am 6 trawlers fishing illegally in Zuari River beyond 12.00 am in afternoon.

7.    21^st August 2015 from 11.10 am onwards 35 trawlers carried on illegal fishing in Zuari River. Coastal police contacted at Harbor police station, Vasco. Police refused to act as they claimed were on bandobast duty at Vasco Saptah. Police informed that their patrol vessel is stationed in Vasco on Saptah duty and they refused to act against trawlers. Superintendent of Fisheries intimated asked to take action. He asked fishermen to use their boats to raid trawlers. Representative of fishermen Sanjay Pereira refused to oblige with this nasty suggestion made orally at the face-to-face meeting at the Fisheries department at 11.10 am. Fisheries department too refused to sent their patrol boat to chase away the trawlers. As a result these trawlers carried on illegal, ecologically harmful practice of trawling till 6.00 pm. Minister of Fisheries Avertano Furtado was contacted at around 2.00 pm and he said he needs two days time to solve this problem of illegal fishing in Zuari. Ministers’ response is surprising as he has been constantly kept informed about illegal fishing by trawlers in Zuari for thee past nine months and he has not taken any effective steps to stop this ecologically hazardous, legally banned practice of trawling in Zuari River. It’s utterly disgusting to note complete crisis in Fisheries department and ever flourishing of illegal trawling in Zuari.

8.    22^nd August 2015 from 6.00 am to 7.50 am 10 trawlers carried on illegal fishing in Zuari. Director of Fisheries, Superintendent of Fisheries, as well as Minister of Fisheries informed about this violation.

9.    23^rd August 2015 at 6.30 am two mini-per seining boats tore in Zuari river tore apart nets of the traditional fishermen.

10. 27^th August 2015 five mini-per seining boats at 1.30 pm carried on fishing near Bambolim coast inside Zuari river. Earlier at 9.00 am 8 boats carried on illegal mini-per seining in Zuari river. Traditional fishermen are opposed to mini-per seining inside Zuari river on ecological and legal grounds leading to depletion of fish catch for traditional fishermen.

11. 27^th August 2015 at 3.15 pm two trawlers carried on illegal fishing very close to Nauxim and Siridao coast. Director of Fisheries as well as the Minister of Fisheries were informed over the mobile phone message. Police at Harbor police station in Vasco were contacted and they informed that Police boat will reach to act against illegal trawlers from ‘Agacaim.

12. 28^th August 2015 at 11.30 pm 22 mini-per seining boats carried on illegal fishing in Zuari river. Superintendent of Fisheries Shri Chandrakant D. Velip confirmed illegal nature of nets used by these boats while speaking over the phone with Sanjay Pereira.

13. 30^th August 2015 16 trawlers carried on illegal fishing in Zuari river at 3.30 pm.

14. 1^st September 2015 16 trawlers carried on illegal fishing at 9.00 am.

15. 2^nd September 2015 25 trawlers carried on illegal fishing in Zuari river at 2.30 pm.

16. 3^rd September 2015 40 trawlers carried on illegal fishing in Zuari river from 6.00 am onwards. Police at harbor police station did not answer the calls to receive complaints. Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado was contacted over the phone by Sanjay Pereira to complaint. Mr. Furtado behaved very arrogantly and told Sanjay Pereira, member of Santa Cruz Panchayat representing Cacra and Convener of Bharat Mukti Morcha, Cacra Unit to go in the river in Canoes and attack trawlers themselves. This is completely uncalled for arrogance on behalf of the Fisheries Minister asking traditional fishermen to take law into their hands and signals complete collapse of fisheries administration.

17. 3^rd September 2015 22 trawlers illegally carried on fishing at 2.45 pm.