Comprehending destardly attack on Rama Kankonkar at Caranzalem

This is a night transitioning from 18th September to 19th September 2025. This is a night with sleep far at bay. Got to know Rama Kankonkar got hammered by half a dozen goons in Caranzalem. Got to know that this happened just before noon around 11.30 am. Videos are out in media. Fearless half dozen men attacked Rama, injured his body. Intention looked to be to kill him. Crime was open and bold. In full view of camera recording.

It looks planned, well organised to execute to perfection. 

From the utterance of assailants it appears that some corridors of power have reached desperation. They are not able to resolve the conflicting issues in civilized negotiatonf manner and resorted to barbaric conduct inflicting pain, fear and damage to public morale.

Worst thing to know is that the assailants are reportedly history sheeter team who are involved in earlier attacks on Rama Kankonkar few months ago in Bambolim. 

It has not faded from public memory that Rama's car was set ablaze by people yet to be identified few years ago at his residence in Curca.

Crime spree touched new high. It can happen only with expressed authority from corridors of power. 

Many criminal aspects of Goa's life are legally protected. Gambling is protected through permissions to operate casinos in water and on land. Land occupation on comunidade land are legalized through Legislative intervention in the State Assembly. Mining loot have been condoned off. Shah commision report pushed in cold storage to allow Mining companies to go scot-free. Goa's coast is brutalized, ecology damaged, beaches dugged up by vested interests threatening coastal ecological security. All this leads to further blossoming of crimes in Goa.

Rama's style of operation and brand of his politics of late is directed towards creating defenders for Goa. He terms them as "Rakhandars". It is this very idea that he shared with me few days ago to materialize with a function on 28 September 2025. I wasn't able to reach put to him due the shocking death of Adv. Bishwa Ranjan Paramguru under suspicious conditions on the streets of Bhubaneshawar on 10th September 2025.

Attack on Rama comes as addition to the shock that I am already into.

We need to carefully dissect the situation as to what provoked this level of violence against Kankonkar, who masterminded the violence, what is the desired goal of such raw violence. What is the role of organised gangs into this?

Goa has come under siege. Local people of Goa have been taken over hostages of destructive powers ruling over Goa and their brand of development. 

These strangleholds must be dislodged and shattered. Amongst others Goa is on crossroads - it can move on with local people as captives or as subjects of history taking responsibility for our lives, our society, our polity, our history, our Geography and our destiny itself. All this calls for initiating authentic communication with oppressed people of Goa and not just superficial manipulative involvement for short term political involvement.

It would be interesting to pursue in this direction as society, as active citizenry even as Rama Kankonkar gets space to heal and bounce back in action in days to come.

Dr. Sebastian Rodrigues

When Memory of Politics Turns Into Politics of Memory: The Sujay Gupta Case

Today May 28, 2023 I received certificate of participation in Konkani literature competition organised by Herald Konkani Daiz editors Vincy Quadros and Fr. Myron Jeson Barreto. I had submitted a Poem in Konkani. I received my certificate from the hands of Herald Chief Editor Sujay Gupta in the presence of former Chief Minister Luizinho Faleiro.

I met Sujay Gupta for the first time after all the turbulence from June 2008 onwards. Sujay and I were both part of that turbulence (but on opposite sides) triggered by mining greed wanting to silence voices articulating dissent at www.mandgoa.blogspot.in. This piece of writing is motivated by my meeting with Sujay Gupta at the award ceremony at Fernandes House near International Centre, Dona Paula.

When questioned Sujay Gupta was in denial mode on controversial role he played between June 2008 right up to middle of 2009 in repressing opposition to mining in Goa in his capacity as Vice-President (Communications) of Sociedade de Fomentos. He has gone on such drastic denial overdrive that he even denies his even presence in Goa until late December 2008.

When I reminded him about certain facts he claims that he doesn't remember. Yet he remembers that I am associated with GAKUVED whose blog he targeted with defamation suit at Calcutta High Court for 500 crore rupees. But that was last thing he did as corporate shotgun before moving to start Goan, newspaper of the Fomentos which he remembers, admits, regrets as mistake of his life and all this because there is his name - on records. And if the records were not put out in public domain he would have denied that too. All the mercenary work that he did for mining industry without leaving trace of his name he denied to me! It is precisely because of his denials today to several facts an effort is warranted to bring all the facts on record here so that history is not presented in distorted manner. In this  situation my life is a document of history.

Sujay Gupta took over as an Editor of English newspaper in Goa named Gomantak Times that has ownership history with Chowgules in Goa and Sakal group in Maharashtra. Sujay Gupta's enterprising policies added dynamism that was visible in public domain that time around 2006 or 2007 onwards. He established reputation for himself and was soon popular. It has to be checked in archives as to when he took over as an editor of Gomantak Times and when did he leave. Any of you'll can do this and post it as comment below.

The first encounter

My first encounter with Sujay Gupta was on telephone call he made to me on June 05, 2008. That day GAKUVED had organised World Environment Day Program at Don Bosco Farm house premises in Sulcorna, South Goa. I was traveling to the venue in Car with Dr. Claude Alvares. I answered his call thinking that he is speaking to me in his capacity as Journalist. He asked me if village people and others from all over Goa are going to attack the Mines directly on June 05, 2008. I replied him negatively. Then he questioned me whether I know CPI-ML. I said yes I know and Kavita Krishnan is good friend of mine. At that moment I did not find anything suspicious in his questions and I answered them as matter of fact. He did not come for the program nor published my interview anywhere but he channeled information he got from me to some strategy team operating clandestine to suppress dissent against mining. Program was good and even Architect Kamalakant Sadhale was present with large number of local people. At later reflections I realized that Sujay Gupta had read my interview with Rajaram CPI-ML General Secretary, Jharkhand on openspaceforum blog. This information was passed on to Manohar Parrikar who shared it at the Public Hearing of Legislature sub-committee of Home Ministry tagging me as Naxalite on June 19, 2008.

The second encounter

I received phone call at 9.30 pm on June 19, 2008 from Derek Almeida, Editor of Gomantak Times informing me that I have been accused of being Naxalite by the Leader of the Opposition Manohar Parrikar. He said none of the journalists knew me and were surprised to know about my alleged Naxalite activities in mining belt. Derek informed me that he finally received my contact number from Dr. Claude Alvares. Derek requested me to meet him and his colleagues at Gomantak Times next day.

Next day was June 20, 2008. I picked up the copy of Gomantak Times and found my photograph printed on front page with a story headlined "Parrikar targets anti-mining activist". I read through story found something strange with my photo on front page. Photo was doctored and fangs were inserted in my mouth. I visited Gomantak Times office and met Editor Derek Almeida. First thing I brought to his attention about my photo on front page thst shows fangs in my mouth. I opened my mouth and let him do check up to find out the fangs. He couldn't find any. He then disclosed to me that it was Sujay Gupta who had shared that picture with all media offices. He told me that Sujay Gupta was earlier with Gomantak Times but recently has joined Fomento mining company. I wasn't aware of recent change in his status of employment and I had shared information in good faith under the impression that he was still a journalist. It was a betrayal of trust. Derek further had informed me that Sujay had emailed my pictures seated with students from Nirmala Niketan College of Social Work in Mumbai misrepresenting them as naxalites from Jharkhand. Later when Sujay came to know about the identity of these four students he wrote to the Principal of the college and protested their students visit to mining sites in Goa.

Derek then requested his Chief reporter at Gomantak Times Vithaldas Hegde to interview me. Hegde interviewed me for five hours non-stop but made sure he published not even five sentences from that interview. Interview was totally blacked out. Few years later when I questioned Hegde about it he told me that he lost his notepad! Currently Hegde is Chief Reported at Herald where Sujay Gupta is Editor. You can draw your own inferences. I have stated facts.

On June 21, 2008 at 3.00 pm Pravin Sabnis called press conference in which I was called to face the media at Tourist hostel in Panjim. Several media reprentatives were present for this press conference and amongst them was Sujay Gupta. Several media personnel questioned me and I answered them. I remember question asked by Sujay Gupta: Where was I working in New Delhi. I answered him that I worked at CACIM at A-3, Defence Colony. Sujay Gupta scribbled these details on a piece on his notepad.

At around 4.00 pm on the same day of June 21, 2008 there was another press conference organised by Sujay Gupta for Venkatesh Prabhudesai who attempted to tarnish my reputation with baseless allegations. Next day June 22, 2008 reports of both the press conferences were published. On this day it became a public knowledge that Sujay Gupta has joined Fomentos who were running several Mines in Goa with Hiralal Khodidas mining lease being in focus due to documented destruction of agriculture and protests from local people of Colomba.

Third Encounter

On November 12, 2008 locals and others from across Goa marched Hiralal Khodidas mining site. Sujay Gupta was on site on this day supervising lathicharge carried on by company's security agency causing injuries to many including to Gajanan Raikar, then executive committee member of GAKUVED.

Fourth Encounter

Protests against mining industry continued and reached its peak. It is at this moment on December 24, 2008 that Sujay Gupta filed civil defamation suit against me for 500 crore at Calcutta High Court in his official capacity as Vice-President (Communications) of Fomento mining company. It is amongst the highest claimed amounts in India. Petition is listed on Calcutta High Court website but hasn't come up for hearing since September 2009 after three Hearings.

Hostile reception

Sujay Gupta received hostile reception at several places in Goa. He was thrown out from Times of India first anniversary party by late Wendel Rodricks the fashion designer. Writer Hartman de Sousa launched online signature campaign against him with over 1,200 people signing and commenting. Floriano Lobo of Goa Su-Raj Party organised public protest meeting near then Sujay Gupta's residence in Moira village. Venita Coelho has been vocal in her writings against Sujay Gupta due to his alliance with mining industry.

In 2012 Sujay Gupta started off GOAN as weekly for Fomentos, then turned it as daily and then got into Herald. One man who publicly protested  then against Sujay Gupta taking over as Editor of Herald is Anthony D'Silva from Ambelim, Assolna.

Fresh encounter

This is memory of politics outlined here so that politics of memory is firmly grounded as and when it is activated. This piece is prepared after Sujay put himself in denial mode in communications with me today as mentioned above. Next time if Sujay Gupta goes in denial mode this has to be brought to his attention.

In my today's conversations with him I found him not honest. That's the reason for me to be honest and bold. For we are both connected in the opposites. Can Sujay Gupta turn honest too and afford honest conversation? Or will he be forever fugitive to his own deep self? What are those people called when they refuse to be honest and persist in denial? Let Sujay Gupta be the privilege one to answer this at his calling after deep pondering. 

May God Bless Sujay Gupta!


Sebastian Rodrigues 

Police investigations on BMM?

Just received information reveals that Goa Police CID has launched secret investigations on office bearers of Bharat Mukti Morcha (BMM) Goa Unit. People going to get the pass port clearances to police department are questioned about Bharat Mukti Morcha office bearers. 

In one instance that has come to our attention and we wish to share publicly is of one such policemen named Nitesh Borkar, CID, Police Headquarters, Panjim mobile number 7057088272. He is reported to have investigating travel mode and source of livelihood of Bharat Mukti Morcha Goa President Maggie Silveira. For nearly five days two policemen were posted this week at Vanxim Amboi Ferry point near Hotel Devaya to check mode of travel and vehicle number plate. Policemen did not bother to report release of sewage from Devaya Hotel into Mandovi river nor siphoning of water pipeline coming to Vanxim island by Devaya Hotel. Neither police nor one who put police on this task is really bothered about these issues.

Bharat Mukti Morcha will hold Goa Police CID responsible in case anything untoward occurs to any of the BMM office bearers all over the Goa. This insecurity with Goa police has triggered after BMM press conference on November 14, 2017 issued a statement against India's shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari, Environment Minister of India Harsh Vardhan and Chief Minister of Goa Manohar Parrikar. To read this critical statement click here. BMM will not cow down and request police to contact BMM office bearers directly instead of beating around the bush. BMM do not consider police as our enemy. BMM enemy is Bamon Raj and freedom from this Raj is our birth right and we will achieve it. 

Indian Politics currently operates in non-transparent manner as political parties are excluded from the ambit of Right to Information Act.

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