01 March 2024
To,
Superitendent of Police,
Coastal Security,
Panaji, Goa
To,
Director of Fisheries,
Government of Goa,
Panaji, Goa
Subject : Call letter dated 28/02/2024 from Pradip R. Velip, Police Inspector, Harbour Coastal Security Police Station in connection with Writ Petition no. 2844 of 2023 at Goa Bench of Bombay High Court
Sir/Madam,
We are in receipt of yet another call letter from Harbour Coastal Security Police Station in connection with our complaints on illegal trawling and purse seine fishing in Zuari river dated 01/02/2024 and 22/02/2024, both addressed to your office along with evidence of violation of Goa Bench of Bombay High Court Order dated 09/01/2024 in Writ Petition no. 2844 of 2023 which we have already inwarded to your office on 27/02/2024.
This to place on record that in response to earlier call letter dated 22/02/2024 from Rohidas K.Velip, PSI on the same matter we visited Harbour Coastal Security Police Station on 26/02/2024. During our time at the Police station we were shown documents containing internal notings by the Office of Superitendent of Police on our complaint dated 01/02/2024 directing Harbour Coastal Security Police Station to call meeting of both the Parties.
Now we find this direction from the office of Superitendent of Police, Coastal Security extremely objectionable in the light of following context:
1. It is legal duty of the office of Director of Fisheries as well as Superitendent of Police, Coastal Security to prevent mechanised fishing within 5 kms from the shore as the the prevalent law in force.
2. There is standing order of the Goa Bench of Bombay High Court dated 09 January 2024 in Writ Petition no. 2844 of 2023 that has specifically alerted both Director of Fisheries as well as Superitendent of Police, Coastal Security against allowing any mechanised fishing within 5 kms specified area as per the law.
3. Inspite of the High Court Order mentioned at point no.2 both Superitendent of Police, Coastal Security as well as Director of Fisheries allowed massive mechanised fishing inside Zuari river to go on during mid-night on 31/01/2024. The digital evidence of the same with GPS locations of the venue of mechanised fishing within specified area is already inwarded to your office via our letter dated 22/02/2024 in pendrive.
4. Following from above point nos 1, 2, & 3 all the details of the violations of High Order dated 09 January 2024 is communicated to your office in completion. All that your office has to do is initiate action and submit your compliance report to the Hon'ble Goa Bench of Bombay High Court.
5. Hence the directions of Superitendent of Police, Coastal Security given via internal notings on our complaint dated 01/02/2024 to call for meeting of both the parties at Harbour Coastal Security Police Station is wrong and needs to be withdrawn immidiately as it is in violation of law in force and we shall be constrained to report to the Hon'able High Court the conduct of the office of Superitendent of Police, Coastal Security.
6. As the current matter in sub-judice state due to litigation at High Court via mentioned Writ Petition we will not be attending any meetings with those involved in mechanised fishing within specified area of 5 kms as there is nothing to be negotiated at all. So in this context kindly issue necessary directions to the Police Inspector, Harbour Coastal Security Police Station and keep us informed.
Additionally, if there is need for the meeting with our Union to discuss policy matters relating to preventive measures needed in addition to what contains already in our petition then let it be convened through proper protocols through the office of Advocate General to the Government of Goa involving also Director of Fisheries, Superitendent of Fisheries, Captain of Ports etc, and we will participate.
Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,
Shaila D'mello
President
Laximan Mangueshkar
Secretary
Copy to
Chief Justice,
Goa Bench of Bombay High Court, Porvorim, Goa
Police Inspector,
Harbour Coastal Security Police Station
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