Objections to the installation of Mobile Towers at Bambolim and Nauxim

Date: 26^th November 2015

To,

The Principal Secretary (Environment)

Secretariat,

Porvorim, Goa

To,

The Member-Secretary,

Goa State Pollution Control Board,

Panjim, Goa

To,

The Sarpanch,

Curca-Bambolim-Nauxim Panchayat,

Tiswadi, Goa.

Subject: Objections to the installation of Mobile Towers at Bambolim and Nauxim

Dear Madam/Sir,

Bharat Mukti Morcha is shocked to note inaction of Goa State Pollution Control Board and Bambolim Panchayat on the complaints against mobile towers in Bambolim and Nauxim villages at Adea de Goa premises. Mobile towers are threat to public health due to radiation. Even though people of Bambolim are subjected to radiation due to these mobile towers local Panchayat has disclosed that these mobile towers have the approval from Goa State Pollution Control Board and hence Bambolim Panchayat has given its permissions. In a letter dated 02/11/2015 to Rohidas Andrade and other of Bharat Mukti Morcha Bambolim Sarpanch Maria Leena Da Cunha has shared that permission for the mobile tower is as per the approval from the Goa State Pollution Control Board. This means just Goa State Pollution Control Board has approved radiation emanating from mobile towers and it is alright that local people be subjected to public health risks. Ridiculous. 

Officials and their family members at Goa State Pollution Control Board are not affected by radiation from these mobile towers in Bambolim-Nauxim villages as their office is located at safe distance in Panjim and it is not expected that they should be bothered about public health of Bambolim and surrounding villages considering that influence of real estate and tourism lobby, and this is no longer a secret. Other wise NOC for two mobile towers in Bambolim and Nauxim would have been revoked the moment objections to it are filed by Bharat Mukti Morcha.

Instead we have noted that one more mobile tower has been installed in Bambolim at survey number 96 on the night of 19^th November 2015. We object this mobile tower too.

We have also witnessed installation of Ground Based Mast (GBM) to provide 4 G broadband services by Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited adjacent to NH 17 in front of Goa Medical College. So all together there are four mobile towers in the jurisdiction of Bambolim Panchayat that are major threats to public health with radiation threats. We call upon your office to take immediately revoke permissions to these mobile towers.  

So far our experience is not pleasant there are signs of state of administrative paralysis in the functioning of Goa State Pollution Control Board. It is limping due to influence of money bags and power of the corporate lobbies such as Reliance, Aldeia de Goa and Hotel Grand Hyatt. Bambolim Panchayat must not follow the example of Goa State Pollution Control Board and get itself geared pro-actively to change the situation and notify every level of environment ministry of Goa to act and get the permissions to mobile towers revoked and lodge protests.

Bharat Mukti Morcha calls upon Principal Secretary (Environment) to intervene and get all the approvals to mobile towers in Bambolim – Nauxim Panchayat jurisdiction revoked immediately.

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,

Maggie Silveira

President,

Goa State Unit

Sanjay Pereira

Convener,

Cacra unit

Rohidas Andrade

Convener,

Bambolim unit

Soccoro Braganza

Convener,

Siridao Unit

Anthony Cardozo

Convener,

Curca Unit

Sitaram Pereira

Convener,

Odxel Unit

Milind Palkar

Convener,

Nauxi unit

Chandrakant Lotlikar

Secretary, Bharat Mukti Morcha,

Siridao Unit

Hanuman Dias

Co-convenor

Odxel Unit

Honu Dinkar,

Co-convener,

Odxel Unit

Deu Kankonkar

Secretary,

Nauxi Unit

Bikaro Dias

Co-convener,

Odxel Unit

Yeshwant Shirodkar,

Co-convener,

Odxel Unit

Manguesh Sawant,

Co-convener,

Odxel unit

Amir Mardolkar,

Co-convener,

Nauxim Unit

Francis Coelho,

Co-convener,

Nauxim Unit

Dulba Pereira,

Co-convener,

Cacra Unit

Santosh Gauns,

Co-convener,

Cacra Unit

Sheila D’mello,

Co-convener

Cacra Unit

Santosh Kukalkar,

Co-convener

Cacra unit

Police report on permissions to officials of Hotel Grand Hyatt to carry on water sports activities

Date: 26^th November 2015

To,

The Secretary and Commissioner (Ports),

Secretariat,

Porvorim,

Goa

To,

The Captain of Ports,

Panjim, Goa

Subject: Police report on permissions to officials of Hotel Grand Hyatt to carry on water sports activities

Sir,

Superintendent of Police, Coastal Security, Panjim in a letter dated 30.10.2015 to the President, Bharat Mukti Morcha has confirmed after detail investigations that it is the Captain of Ports that has granted the permissions for officials of Hotel Grand Hyatt to carry on water sports activities within the area of Hyatt Bambolim Beach within 200 meters of shore to sea upto 01 Nautical Mile.

This permission is not acceptable to the traditional fishermen in the localities of Siridao, Bambolim, Nauxim, Cacra and Odxel as it directly clashes with fishing activities. Bharat Mukti Morcha is opposed to this pro-corporate, anti-traditional fishing decision of the Captain of Ports moreover as this Hotel itself is illegal.

Bharat Mukti Morcha calls upon your office to immediately revoke all the permissions granted to any officials of Hotel Grand Hyatt including Aqua Sail with immediate effect.

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,

       Sd/-

Maggie Silveira

President,

Goa State Unit

       Sd/-
Sanjay Pereira

Convener,

Cacra unit

       Sd/-
Rohidas Andrade

Convener,

Bambolim unit

       Sd/-
Soccoro Braganza

Convener,

Siridao Unit

       Sd/-
Anthony Cardozo

Convener,

Curca Unit

       Sd/-
Sitaram Pereira

Convener,

Odxel Unit

      Sd/-
Milind Palkar

Convener,

Nauxi unit

     Sd/-
Chandrakant Lotlikar

Secretary, Bharat Mukti Morcha,

Siridao Unit

     Sd/-
Hanuman Dias

Co-convenor

Odxel Unit

     Sd/-
Honu Dinkar,

Co-convener,

Odxel Unit

          Sd/-

Deu Kankonkar

Secretary,

Nauxi Unit

          Sd/-

Bikaro Dias

Co-convener,

Odxel Unit

      Sd/-
Yeshwant Shirodkar,

Co-convener,

Odxel Unit

      Sd/-
Manguesh Sawant,

Co-convener,

Odxel unit

       Sd/-
Amir Mardolkar,

Co-convener,

Nauxim Unit

       Sd/-
Francis Coelho,

Co-convener,

Nauxim Unit

             Sd/-

Dulba Pereira,

Co-convener,

Cacra Unit

          Sd/-

Santosh Gauns,

Co-convener,

Cacra Unit

       Sd/-
Sheila D’mello,

Co-convener

Cacra Unit

       Sd/-
Santosh Kukalkar,

Co-convener

Cacra unit

Attack on Fishing nets inside Zuari by illegal mini per seining boats

Date: 26^th November 2015

To,

The Minister of Fisheries,

Secretariat,

Porvorim, Goa

To,

The Secretary (Fisheries)

Secretariat,

Porvorim, Goa

To,

The Director,

Directorate of Fisheries,

Panjim, Goa

To,

The Superintendent,

Coastal Security,

Panjim

Subject: Attack on Fishing nets inside Zuari by illegal mini per seining boats

Dear Madam/Sir,

Bharat Mukti Morcha is shocked to note the continues violation of fishing rights in Zuari river. We wish to place on record the latest incidents of these violations.

On last Monday 23/11/2015 Four Fishermen were targets of the violence committed by mini per seining boats in Zuari. They came and run over the nets of the traditional fishermen fishing in the River. Four fishermen whose nets were torn apart includes Sanjay Pereira, Vishal Bhalekar, Chandranath Rosario from Cacra and Vishal Shirvoikar from Odxel. Superintendent of Police, Coastal Security, Panjim in a letter dated 30.10.2015 to Bharat Mukti Morcha has confirmed after 11 months of investigation that mini per seining in Zuari River is illegal. Besides being illegal it is unsustainable fishing practice as it nets even smallest of the marine life.

On 22/11/2015 we have witnessed these mini per seining boats too. At 10.30 am there were 15 of these boats at early morning at 5.00 am till 9.00 am. Then same evening at 5.30 pm there were 6 mini per seining boats doing the same.

On 21/11/2015 there were 6 mini per seining boats at 10.30 am in Zuari River.

On 12/11/2015 at 8 am there were 5 trawlers carrying on illegal fishing in Zuari River.

We completely oppose these fishing practices of mini per seining and trawlers that is jeopardizing sustainability of fisheries in Zuari River.

We once again call upon you to station full time patrol boat in Zuari River exclusively.

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,

        Sd/-

Maggie Silveira

President,

Goa State Unit

        Sd/-

Sanjay Pereira

Convener,

Cacra unit

        Sd/-

Rohidas Andrade

Convener,

Bambolim unit

        Sd/-

Soccoro Braganza

Convener,

Siridao Unit

        Sd/-

Anthony Cardozo

Convener,

Curca Unit

        Sd/-

Sitaram Pereira

Convener,

Odxel Unit

     Sd/-

Milind Palkar

Convener,

Nauxi unit

     

     Sd/-

Chandrakant Lotlikar

Secretary, Bharat Mukti Morcha,

Siridao Unit

      Sd/-

Hanuman Dias

Co-convenor

Odxel Unit

        Sd/-

Honu Dinkar,

Co-convener,

Odxel Unit

       Sd/-

Deu Kankonkar

Secretary,

Nauxi Unit

      Sd/-

Bikaro Dias

Co-convener,

Odxel Unit

        Sd/-

Yeshwant Shirodkar,

Co-convener,

Odxel Unit

          Sd/-

Manguesh Sawant,

Co-convener,

Odxel unit

         Sd/-

Amir Mardolkar,

Co-convener,

Nauxim Unit

       Sd/-

Francis Coelho,

Co-convener,

Nauxim Unit

      Sd/-

Dulba Pereira,

Co-convener,

Cacra Unit

      Sd/-

Santosh Gauns,

Co-convener,

Cacra Unit

      Sd/-

Sheila D’mello,

Co-convener

Cacra Unit

       Sd/-

Santosh Kukalkar,

Co-convener

Cacra unit

BMM condemns knife attack on Sanjay Mayekar of Mayem

Bharat Mukti Morcha strongly condemns the knife attack on Sanjay Mayekar on Nomember 26, 2015 with grievous injuries in Mayem, Bicholim. Sanjay is a brother of Kashinath Mayekar of Mayem Nagrik Samiti dealing with evacuee property issue. At the time of attack Sanjay was a place where survey work was going on to grant land titles to the Mayem villagers. For so long Mayem has witnessed obstacles to legal land access to the villagers while mining companies had obstacle free access to evacuee property in Mayem especially Chowgules that had dried up 300 village water ground wells causing scarcity of water for agriculture. 

Kashinath Mayekar and his brother Sanjay has been involved in questioning this state of affairs for past 3 decades. Kashinath Mayekar along with later Fr. Bismarque Dias shared stage with Hon. Waman Meshram at Bharat Mukti Morcha public meeting on October 29, 2011 at Azad Maidan Panjim. Check this links for picture. Bharat Mukti Morcha calls for Judicial investigation in this knife attack in view of faltering confidence in Goa Police we witnessed in murder of Fr.Bismarque Dias murder. Bharat Mukti Morcha calls for criminal prosecution of  those involved in the attack on Sanjay Mayenkar.

Police complaints filed by Fr. Bismarque before his murder

Here are the scanned copies of the two complaints filed by Fr. Bismarck on threats he received. One complaints above in Marathi is dated 30th August 2015 and the accused is one Mancio J. Monteiro @ Jack Monteiro resident of Miramar and native of St. Estevam, Juva. Complaint was registered under sections 504, 352, 506 Indian Penal Code. Fr. Bismarque was threatened on 30th August 2015 at about 17.00 hours at Casa da Povo Hall, St.Estevam, Juva. The case was to be submitted to Court under section 155 of Code of Criminal Procedure. The copy is also marked to be submitted to SDPO Panaji through P.I. Old Goa Police Station. The complaint has two signatures of Fr. Bismarque Dias, r/o St. Estavam, Palmar. Non-Cognizable complaint.

The second complaint Fr. Bismark filed at Old Goa Police station on 04/11/2015 against Mr.Assuncao Rubin Fernandes of St.Estevam. The accused is mentioned as Fr.Bismarque's neighbour. and fight took place at 10.50 am. Fr.Bismarque was threatened again.This complaint is registered under section 506, 352 of IPC. Non-Cognizable Complaint.

You may download these pictures for reference or get the fresh copies from Old Goa Police Station.

Press Release on Fr.Bismarque Dias murder, mobile tower radiation, trawler and water sports threats to fishing and more

I.      Bharat Mukti Morcha (BMM) today observed two minutes silence in memory of Fr. Bismarque and those killed in terror attacks in Paris. BMM had a detail discussion on the shockingly torture and murder of late Fr. Bismarque Dias. BMM calls for immediate arrests and trial of those responsible for this murder. Goa Chief Minister must refrain from making irresponsible statements on Fr.Bismarque’s murder. If Chief Minister Parsekar feels incapable to admit the facts surrounding Fr. Bismarque’s murder then he must resign immediately. All Social Activists of Goa, Family members of Fr.Bismarque and People of Goa cannot be taken for granted anymore as Goans are known for what they are; as and when required they will act accordingly. As Chief Minister is holding the portfolio of Home Ministry, that doesn’t mean he can come out with statements as he is pleased with. Fr. Bismarque’s death is a murder, that too a tortured one. Manipulating the reports etc will not help. Truth will prevail that it is a murder. Long Live Fr. Bismarque’s good works for Vanxim, Tiracol, Carmona, Tuem and much more beyond. This murder has elevated Fr.Bismarque to the category of Martyr. Adeus Fr.Bismarque.

II.                    BMM calls for immediate cancellation of all the permissions for water sports activities in Zuari River granted by Captain of Ports to the officials of Hotel Grand Hyatt in Bambolim. This water sports activity in Zuari river has disrupted the fishing activities. Superintendent of Police, Coastal Security, Panjim in a letter dated 30.10.2015 to BMM has confirmed that it is the Captain of Ports that has granted the permissions for this. According to police report Captain of Ports, Government of Goa Panjim, has permitted officials of Hotel Grand Hyatt to carry on water sports activities within the area of Hyatt Bambolim Beach within 200 meters of shore to sea upto 01 Nautical Mile. This permission is not acceptable to the local Fishermen and BMM is opposed to this anti-fishing decision of the Captain of Ports and also as Hotel Grand Hyatt is fully illegal.

III.                   BMM welcomes decision of the Goa Police to increase the surveillance of Zuari River to curb illegal fishing activities as stated in this very letter. However Police letter does not mention the illegal fishing that is destructive ecology that is being carried on through trawling inspite of so many complaints from BMM.

IV.                  BMM also objects to the attempts of the Director of Fisheries Shamila Monteiro to pressurize fishermen objecting illegal trawling in Zuari River. It is well established fact that the sustained dragging of mobile gear (nets with all the weights, otterboards and chains) across the sea floor has been compared to the clear felling of tropical rainforest. These nets disturb the riverbed and alter its complexity, reduce benthic production and lead to substantial changes in benthic community structure and habitat. Moreover, these disturbed soft bottom habitats may never return to their earlier or ‘pristine’ state and often taken over by weedy species, similar to those that take over the clear felled patches in tropical rainforests.

V.                   The way Fisheries department is administrating its affairs is pathetic. Shamila Monteiro is not fit to direct this department as she told fisherman from Siridao Soccorro Braganza on 12^th November 2015 in her cabin that she is ignorant of the laws that prohibit trawlers from carrying on fishing within 5 kms from the sea shore and inside the rivers. This means Director is not even aware of the reasons as to why her department has given licenses to so many trawlers to carry on fishing in Arabian Sea and not in any of the rivers of Goa, and what could be the ecological harmful impacts trawlers are inflicting on the marine ecology.

VI.                  BMM congratulates Betul, Naqueri, Quittol, and Canaguinim in Quepem taluka coast for their opposition to the Defence expo project on Naqueri plateau on November 08, 2015 Gram Sabha meeting. The project promoted by India’s defense minister Manohar Parrikar is nothing but the land grab of 6 lakh square meters, area including runway for aircrafts. BMM is aware of the intense struggle of the people of these villages to fight land grab for Golf Course in 1993-95 period against the then Government headed by late Dr.Wilfred de Souza. Then during 2006-2007 government forcefully took over this land for Food Park but actually to be developed for 800 villas and Golf Course by London based real estate group - Claremont. Due to the public protest this land grab too did not materialized. Now another land grab is attempted in the name of Defense Expo.

VII.                 BMM extends support and solidarity with people from Betul, Naqueri, Quittol, Canaguinim and neighboring villages’ people opposing this defense expo from Cabo-da-Rama, Nuem, Velim etc. Defense expo is located on this Naqueri plateau only to deprive land to the future generation of the local residents and to drive local people to the brink of desperation and landlessness. BMM protests with the Ministry of Defense, New Delhi as well as with Indian Air Force for imposing Defense expo on Goa.

VIII.               BMM is shocked to note inaction of Goa State Pollution Control Board and Bambolim Panchayat on the complaints against mobile towers in Bambolim and Nauxim villages at Adea de Goa premises. Mobile towers are threat to public health due to radiation threats. Even though people of Bambolim are subjected to radiation due to these mobile towers local Panchayat has chosen to hide under the excuse that these mobile towers has all permissions from Goa State Pollution Control Board. Officials at Pollution Control Board are not affected by radiation due to these mobile towers and it is not expected that they should be bothered about public health of Bambolim and surrounding villages. Other wise NOC cor mobile towers would have been revoked the moment objections to it are filed. There is state of administrative paralysis in the functioning of Goa State Pollution Control Board. It is limping due to influence of money bags and power of the rich. Bambolim Panchayat must not follow the example of Goa State Pollution Control Board and get itself infested in administrative paralysis.

IX.                  BMM also note with serious concern the way democratic process has been subverted and Panchayats and Municipalities has been bypassed in granting of NOC to the Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited to install Ground Based Masts (GBMs) to provide 4 G broadband services across Goa in Panchayat and Municipality areas in adjacent to National Highways. NOC for this has been granted by the office of the Superintending Engineer PWD, Panjim. BMM is also concerned that these GBMs are entrusted with the task of surveillance by installing CCTV cameras on Highways packaged as ‘facility for general public’.

X.                   BMM also condemns high handed attitude of Bambolim Talathi Prameya P. Prabhu Miringker displayed while on site inspection of traditional path ways and public cross by Hotel Grand Hyatt on 23.10.2015 in Bambolim. Mr. Miringker was carrying on site inspection based on complaint of Rohidas Andrade to the Tiwadi mamlatdar. Mr. Miringker told Rohidas Andrade that Hotel Grand Hyatt can do anything they want and no one can object. This statement is evidence that Talathi is biased in his mindset in favour of luxury hotel. BMM considers this as mockery of democracy.

     

       Sd/-

Maggie Silveira,

President, Goa State Unit