Bracing up to face Casino invasion of Goa

It's first of February 2026. Something shocking has come to our attention. Social media has gone abuzz with 112 meter long Casino Vessel will soon navigate and anchor in the waters of Mandovi. It was last piece of motivation (if not evidence) required to realize that Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) has not only failed to defend Goa's coast but has embarked on generating of coastal stress through its decisions on par with Captain of Ports, and Town and Country Planning Departments. 

Mandovi river is not only polluted but is also stressed out due to existing casino vessels with innumerable socially harmful activities. The very presence of the exiting casino vessels has contributed negatively towards Mandovi river Fisheries. Staff of nearby Fisheries department has vomited during their meals as those clandestine operations being condoned.

While GCZMA has failed to protect the coast this decision on 112 meter long casino vessel invasion of Mandovi has made existence of GCZMA irrelevant and it needs to be discarded as the authority has got reduced to rubber stamp agency for gamblers peddling their agendas in high places of decision making.

The defenders of coast at GCZMA has either lost their bearing or never had any. They have systematic pushed Goa into the clutches of gamblers delight. They need to be kicked out from the positions of power. Enough is enough. Casinos were flashed red signal few months ago by fishers of Verem when casino invasion was attempted there twice. Weight of a single anchor there was 5,000 kg. And ten such anchors were dropped in Mandovi waters. They were resisted successfully.

It's common knowledge that politicians are soft on casinos not just for reasons of alleged palm greasing but often entire election campaigns are allegedly funded by casino companies who are essentially detrimental to the social, ecological and marine health of Goa. They have forced thrived through advertisement and sponsorships but their ethically objectionable adventures in Goa including Mandovi river cannot be allowed, can non longer be tolerated.  They should be cracked down upon powerfully inspite of every thing of influence in their armor. 

This 112 meter long Casino belongs of Deltin Royale group. This group is owned by The Delta Corp Ltd. ( https://deltacorp.in/bod.html ). Board of Directors of Delta Corp Ltd are the ones who are desiring to expand their casinos and through all the underables at us in Goa. 

Enough is enough! 

Time has come to intercept then and pull them down. Let's track down their board of directors here. Let's make these behind the scenes conquerors of Goa's Mandovi river visible as follows:

Jaydev Mody - Chairman

Ashish Kapadia - Managing Director

Chetan Desai - Independent Director

Vrajesh Udani - Non-Executive, Non-Independent Director

Tara Subramaniam - Independent Director

Pankaj Razdan - Independent Director

Each of the above have several decision making posts that you can see here:

https://deltacorp.in/pdf/details-of-directorship-and-full-time-position-in-body-corporates.pdf

The above guys have collectively unleashed war on Mandovi river etc and it's fitting counter is round the corner. Few days back this was visible in Sal river when local fishermen chased away casino gambler vessel away.

May St. Francis Xavier guide us through to thrash and torpedo Casino industry into dustbin of history not even to be preserved in any museum.

Get the abandoned fishing net away from Campal beach!

15 December 2025

To,

Mayor,

Corporation of the City of Panjim,

Panaji, Goa

To,

Commisioner,

Corporation of the City of Panjim,

Panaji, Goa

To,

Member Secretary,

Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA), Panaji, Goa

To,

Collector (North Goa),

Panaji, Goa

Subject: Request for appointment to discuss possibilities of collaboration on issues of clearing decades old huge abandoned fishing net at Campal beach sands

Sir/Madam,

All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union (AGSSRFU) is concerned about huge decade old abandoned purse seine fishing net at Campal beach, Panjim. Fishing net which is composed of non-biodegradable textures was abandoned few decades ago on the beach. The fishing net remained buried in sand for many years till stoned structure was constructed to create concrete space on beach. This development led to erosion of coastal sand of Campal beach making fishing net visible.

Recently on 16 October 2025 during joint meeting between AGSSRFU, Coastal Security Police and Director of Fisheries this issue was discussed and recorded in meeting minutes that the said fishing net be moved away and disposed off. AGSSRFU cannot do it alone as it requires use of machinery to reclaim fishing net buried deeper at some depth.

We write to seek your collaboration to assist us to get this done as the task would require digging on beach to get the fishing net out of sand. 

We would be glad to hear from you.

Counting on your support.

Thanking you.

Yours sincerely, 

Shaila D'mello 

President

Laximan Mangueshkar 

Secretary

Copy to:

1. Director of Fisheries, Government of Goa, Panaji, Goa

2. Director, One Earth Foundation, Panjim, Goa

Protect Mandovi river Shell fish and Oyster breeding spaces!

15 December 2025

To,

Director of Fisheries, 

Government of Goa, 

Panaji, Goa

Subject: Protection for Shell fish and Oyster breeding spaces in Mandovi river 

Madam/Sir,

All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries (AGSSRFU) request you the following:

1. To create special protection for Shell fish breeding spaces in Mandovi river from Parshuram Bhoomi to Panjim Gymkhana, Campal.

2. To create special protection for Oyster breeding spaces in Mandovi river near Diwar to Ribandar from the localities Voddli Manos to Kaukulo.

Above two are valuable spaces and Kindly ensure that no casino vessels or water sports or PNJ boats are allowed to be introduced there.

We count on your Responsible action.

Thanking you.

Yours sincerely,

Shaila D'mello 

President

Laximan Mangueshkar 

Secretary 

Copy to:

1. Captain of Ports, Government of Goa, Panaji, Goa

2. Member Secretary, Goa Bio-diversity Board, Saligao, Bardez, Goa

When casinos get perceived as breeding ground of crimes but solution is deflective...l

How Anil Counto creates discourse of rising crime in Goa rooted in Goa's gambling "industry"

Click here for his online interview.

He traces cause of current high profile criminality -dacoity - in Goa to Casino industry in Goa. 

However solution he prescribes is digital hyper surveillance that is meant to create dystopia State invading privacy massively.

If the cause of crime in Goa is Casino industry then solution should have been dismantling of that industry.

So though he knows the cause as existence of Casinos in Goa yet he still wants them around without crime manifesting around. That logic is weird indeed!

IFFI 2025 and its irresponsibilty in Panjim

 

Fishers from all over Goa gathered today 21 November 2025 to celebrate World Fisheries Day at Campal beach, Panjim at a call from All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union (AGSSRFU). It was low tide in the afternoon. Heroes -Dhananja N. Kerker, Anilash A. Mehta, Rupesh S. Juvatkar, Kiran S. More and Sudhakar V. Joshi (All from Betul, Goa) who rescued 28 crew of capsized trawler on 28 September 2025 were falicitated. By the time program got over Tides changed. High tide triggered swelling of water. Fishers lingered at the beach near the fishing boats.

Today there was non-stop music in the evening, cultural program on the footpath and few eateries. Just when cultural program got over eatery outlet flunked plastic garbage in the river water where fishing boats are station and in presence of fishers. 

This certainly means that deliberate disposal of plastic waste of International Film Festival of India  (IFFI) into river was sure to get trapped in the fishing nets. The video captures the GIS information on the way river is insulted and treated as urban sink by events such as IFFI in 2025.

Why IFFI arrangements should be so disgusting, irresponsible and careless? Who is accountable for this. Whoever they may be one be clear to whoever they are that we simply refuse to take your nonsense anymore. Pull up and streamline the organising. Don't mess with Mandovi river. Enough is enough!

Complaint againt mid-night basket boats fishing in Mandovi river

 25.10.2025

To,

Director of Fisheries,

Government of Goa, 

Panaji, Goa

To,

Superitendent of Police,

Coastal Security, 

Panaji, Goa

To,

Captain of Ports,

Panaji, Goa 

Subject: Complaint againt mid-night basket boats fishing in Mandovi river

Madam/Sir, 

We seek your attention to mid-night illegal basket boats fishing in Mandovi river carried on with infant children on board. This is indeed very dangerous.

These people who come from outside Goa in truck are night use fishing passive fishing gears like gillnet soaked in animal fat of cattle and pigs to enhance fish attraction through smell.

This kinds of fishing is reported near Betim-Panjim Ferry crossings. Here is the link to online media reports about the same last week:

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1GhNaRtjpM/

As a government authority we urge you to initiate action such unauthorized fishing practices in Mandovi river.

Thanking you.

Yours Truly, 

Shaila D'mello 

President 

Laximan Mangueshkar 

Secretary

Gambler daddy!

Night of the lights. Really?

With gambling industry invading Mandovi ?

With Casino echelons putting Panjim under seize?

With Highstreet Cruises and Entertainment private Limited invading fishing spaces of Verem fishers?

With Panjim buildings being captured by casinos?

With government offices being shifted to Chimbel to make way for Gamblers?

With Panjim roads being turned into social sewage at nights?

With narcotics free flows all over?

With Panjim fish market in dilapidated state and its chapel in demolished state?

With Politicos in power on casino payroll lists?

Is it a night of light? Really?

Is it -more dangerously- light of the night where dark powers suffocating Goa?

We want to know. We want to triumph. We search tunnel-end light

Even though it's bright mid-night around the heart sense powers mysterious and shady

It's casino lobby!
It's gambler daddy!

Sebastian Rodrigues 

DPR for Goa rivers dredging

These are detail project reports (DPR) for rivers in India specially the links https://iwai.nic.in/waterways/dpr-report. These rivers are studied for the purpose of dredging. 

Fishing will be completely destroyed if dredging activities are carried on in rivers. 

In Goa too Rivers such as Chapora, Mapusa, Mandovi, Cumbarjua, Zuari features amongst those whose DPR is completed by Inland Waterways Authority of India.

Fishing communities will loose their livelihoods completely if these projects are realized.

Now is the time to reach out to fishing communities and organise into Unions.

Call to defend Sinquerim river

20 May 2025

To,

Captain of Ports,

Government of Goa,

Panaji, Goa

To,

The Director of Fisheries,

Government of Goa,

Panaji, Goa

To,

Director of Tourism,

Government of Goa,

Paryatan Bhavan,

Panaji, Goa

Subject: Call to cease all water sports/tourism canoes operations in Sinquerim river from June 01 to August 31

Sir/Madam,

It has been brought to our attention at National Federation of Small-Scale Fishworkers (NFSF) through our affiliate Union in Goa namely All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union (AGSSRFU) that over the past three years situation of Sinquerim river in Bardez is in precarious condition due to Captain of Ports unilateral decision to allow tourism water sports boats carrying tourists to operate during the months of June to August on the mouth of Sinquerim river.

From the mouth of Sinquerim river upto 2 kms inland 24 such boats with PNJ registration carry on their activities in the monsoon season which is also fishing ban period. Fishing ban was introduced with the intention to allow fish breeding in marine waters free from disturbance of high HP outboard engines and mechanised fishing. Allowing tourism canoes to operate in river with 40 HP outboard engine therefore is an open mockery of the very intention of fishing ban to ensure undisturbed fishing breeding season.

It has been brought to our attention by members of All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union who are actively involved in fishing in Sinquerim river that such plying of tourism canoes with permission from Captain of Ports has disrupted Fisheries of the river as 24 canoes operating with tourists on board with 40 HP outboard motor on the mouth of Sinquerim river past three years. Such activities prevents fish from entering mouth of Sinquerim river as that space is kept non-stop disrupted by tourism canoes with 40 HP ourboard engine.

For the past three years this has been the situation that led both the disruption of fish breeding in Sinquerim river as well as negatively affecting local fishing communities in Sinquerim, Candolim and Nerul. Tourism cannot take preference over fishing in Sinquerim river during monsoon fishing ban and we strongly object to such priorities.

Captain of Ports office therefore urged to identify canoes permitted to operate in Sinquerim river from June to August 2025 and withdraw whatever permission granted to those canoes.

Please ensure that no water sports canoes are allowed to operate in Sinquerim river from June to August henceforth.

We also wish to bring to your attention that India is signatory to Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (VG-SSF Guidelines) from 2013 onwards (https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/edfffbfc-81e5-4208-a36f-334ff81ac10f/content). This is an International law that Government of India has declared Implimentable in India through National Policy on Marine Fisheries 2017. According to section 5.5 of VG-SSF Guidelines "States should recognize the role of small-scale fishing communities and Indigenous people to restore, conserve, protect and co-manage local aquatic and coastal eco-systems."

So protection of Sinquerim river is priority for us and we are holding your office accountable to ensure that Sinquerim river Fisheries is protected.

The Sinquerim river is used for fishing purpose during monsoon by over 350 local fishers. However decision of Captain of Ports to grant permissions for canoes during monsoon ban past three years has been without consultation with fishing communities and against the interests of fishing communities locally.

According to section 1.2 of VG-SSF Guidelines it's right of fishers to participate in decision-making process and to assume responsibilities for sustainable use of fishery resources. Your office is urged to take note of this and act to ensure small-scale fisheries remains economically, socially and environmentally sustainable as per section 1.1 (d) of VG-SSF Guidelines.

You are also directed to section 3 (11) wherein Eco-system Approach to Fisheries (EAF) is adopted as an important guiding principle to ensure fishing based livelihoods  of small-scale fishing communities are protected.

Captain of Ports and Director of Tourim are urged to cease all operations of any canoes operating in Sinquerim river with for tourism purposes henceforth from June 01 to August 31 to ensure that fish breeding process during this period remains undisturbed.

Fisheries Department is urged to defend interes of the fishing communities and object to the tourism canoes with 40 HP outboard engines that creates massive disruptions underwater due to sound waves generated.

We hope that you will take note of this letter and ensure that no tourism canoes operate in Sinquerim river from June 01 to August 31 henceforth.

Thanking you.

Yours sincerely,

Sebastiao Rodrigues

General Secretary,

National Federation of Small-Scale Fishworkers (NFSF)

Threats and harassment to Shaila D'mello, President, All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union by two men claiming to be from Police department on Chorao Island illegal sand mining issue personally and from their mobile number 9325085806

13 January 2025

To,

Chief Minister,

Government of Goa

Porvorim, Goa 

To,

Chief Secretary,

Government of Goa, 

Porvorim, Goa

To,

Secretary (Home)

Government of Goa,

Porvorim, Goa

To,

Director-General of Police,

Panaji, Goa

To,

Superitendent of Police 

(North Goa)

Porvorim, Goa

To,

Collector,

North Goa,

Panaji, Goa

To,

Director of Mines and Geology,

Panaji, Goa

Subject: Threats and harassment to Shaila D'mello, President, All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union by two men claiming to be from Police department on Chorao Island illegal sand mining issue personally and from their mobile number 9325085806

Sir,

We draw your urgent attention to threats and harassment to Shaila D'mello, President, All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union by two men claiming to be officials from Police department since beginning of January 2025.

Calls began to Shaila D'mello on her mobile number from another mobile number 9325085806 on January 02, 2025. The first call was made at 10.34 am and lasted 1.46 seconds asking her to come and meet the caller at unknown Police Station without serving any call letter. Shaila D'mello refused to abide.

On January 10, 2025 two people came to the residence of Shaila D'mello unannounced at 3.30 pm. Shaila was on the road outside her house in Cacra, Tiswadi. The two men then requested time with her. She agreed to speak to them.

The two men were in plain clothes with no name plate or buckle number indicating that they are Policemen. They also did not show their identity card to indicate that they are working for Goa Police. They simply claimed that they are from Goa Police.

The two men asked Shaila D'mello to accompany them to local temple. She refused to go with them. They entered her house and sat to speak.

Their main purpose as shared by the two men was about affairs of All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union. They objected three things:

1. Letters going out from the Union to various government departments like Fisheries, Police, etc.

2. Media reports about the Union activities including press statements.

3. All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union complaints objecting Sand mining in Mandovi river specially Chorao Island and Shaila will be harmed for signing as the President of the Union.

They then got Shaila's signature on blank paper under duress and threats and she is unaware of the contents of what they might have written on the same. 

After doing this the two men left the house. After some time one of them from above cited number called up Shaila and used abusive language against her. These last two calls came, first at 4.22 pm and lasted for 26 seconds. The second call was at 5.56 pm and lasted for 1.14 seconds.

Now it can very clearly be seen as an attempt destroy our Union activities in defence of Small Scale fishing communities all over Goa. Union has Jurisdiction all over Goa and cannot be singled out for commenting against illegal sand mining in Chorao. It is well known fact that illegal sand mining is going in Mandovi river daily at night from 12.30 am to 6.00 am and off loaded from cannoes in Chorao, Vanxim, Naroa, St. Estevam and Old Goa. Illegal Sand mining is well known to Police and the way it is ignored by Police itself speaks volumes on the nexus of the underworld. Chorao Island has become epicenter of illegal sand mining trade with fear and intimidation as favored tactics to frighten people of Chorao to stay silent on illegal sand mining. Recently one Islander was even threatened death by stoning. 

Fishermen from Diwar Island has been constantly complaining about havoc sand mining has caused to fishing activities in Mandovi. 

All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union is mandated to defend fishers as well as protect rivers to be fishing worthy and for this reason we will continue to speak out on issues across State of Goa and it is our Fundamental Right under Article 19 of the Constitution of India. Right to form Union as well as Right to share information in public too is a Fundamental Right under Artucle 19 of the Constitution of India.

In this context you are therefore advised the following:

1. Trace the identity of the two men who are claiming to be from Police department and obstructing smooth flow of Union activities through threats to our President Shaila D'mello and initiate legal action for intimidation and threats to cause harm under BNS as well as SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989. We have identified one as Dilip Deulkar and have his photograph verified by Shaila D'mello.

2. Initiate action against all the illegal sand mining in Mandovi river as it is continually disrupting fishing activities and marine ecology.

3. Launch night Petroling in Mandovi river to trace illegal sand mining. Raid stockyards of illegal sand mined, stored and transported from Chorao Island, Old Goa Neary Ferry Jetty, Naroa near Ferry Jetty and on Vanxim Island.

4. Launch special task force to dismantle infiltration of sand mining mafia in Goa Police.

Kind submit Action Taken Report (ATR) to the below on above points.

Urgent meeting of All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union was held on 12 January 2025 at the request of President and it was decided at the to pursue this matter fearlessly to defend fishing spaces and fishing based livelihoods. 

Thanking you.

Yours sincerely,

Shaila D'mello 

President

Laximan Mangueshkar

Secretary

Sand mining in Mandovi river as encountered...

[22/11, 10:06 pm] Sebastian Rodrigues: Two canoes illegaly extracting sand near Vanxim Ferry boat now at 10.05 pm.

[22/11, 10:36 pm] Sebastian Rodrigues: Cops from Old Goa came and stood at Divar Ferry Jetty at 10.30 pm. And said they cannot see any lights of the boats in the river. How can lights be seen when they are operating with light off?

Police concluded that no sand mining is going on and went back. 

They further Said that even if they had to see then they would not be able to do anything as they don't have boats to go the water.

Police said that at the time of complaining it must be told at 112 emergency service to relay message to coastal security police station. 

This response and behavior is expected from Old Goa Police Station as those carrying on sand mining in Vanxim are directed from the very same Police station.

Earlier it was proved that leakage of information to sand mining operators in Mandovi is continues through one of the Police personel.

[23/11, 12:12 am] Sebastian Rodrigues: Cops from the Superitendent of Superitendent of Police (Coastal Security), Panjim reached Vanxin Ferry point, Divar at 11.55 pm, full two hours after the complaint. 

They too came in Jeep but they had torch with them. They flashed their torch in the river and concluded that there are no sand mining boats engaged in their action against law.

On verification it was found that indeed sand mining canoes had gone away Vanxim Ferry point.

Police took leave at 12.00 am. On concluding note they said they have to attend another sand mining complaint call somewhere. They claimed they are doing this for the country.

Illegal Sand Mining in Mandovi river

Date: 04 November 2024

To,

Captain of Ports,

Panaji, Goa

To,

Collector (North Goa)

Panaji, Goa

To,

Deputy Collector,

Panaji, Goa

To,

Director,

Directorate of Mines and Geology,

Panaji, Goa

To,

Deputy Superitendent of Police,

Police Headquarters,

Panaji, Goa

To,

Superitendent of Police 

(Coastal Security),

Panaji, Goa

To,

Director,

Directorate of Fisheries,

Panaji, Goa

Subject: Illegal Sand Mining in Mandovi river

Sir/Madam,

All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union (AGSSRFU) brings to your urgent attention rampant illegal sand mining at night at various spots in Mandovi river such as Chorao river banks, Divar island banks, Vanxim Island banks, Naroa river bank, Tikhazan river bank etc.

Sand mining has destroyed marine ecology and disrupted fishing activities as well. AGSSRFU considers sand mining activities detrimental to fishing based livelihoods as river bad is badly damaged through sand mining.

Kindly initiate steps to prevent illegal sand extraction, illegal sand storage as well as illegal sand transportation through cannoes, trucks etc. 

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

Shaila D'mello,

President

Laximan Mangueshkar,

Secretary

Illegal early morning Sand mining in Mandovi

This video clip by anonymous went viral today on social media is from Naroa bank of Mandovi river in Bicholim taluka that captures illegal sand mining trade early  morning on 15 September 2023.

This indicated active container of Department of Mines and Geology, Goa Police and Mamlatdars of Tiswadi and Bicholim Talukas.

Naroa has been one of the Hotspot of daily illegal sand mining from mid-night to dawn. Other notable Hotspot include Vanxim island and Chamerem in Chorao island.

Yesterday six more cannoes are lined up in chamerem for illegal sand extraction. Cannoes are hidden inside Mangroves at Chamerem, Chorao.

There are other places of sand extraction tentacles have reached. One such place is Tikhazan in Naroa, Bicholim.

Current illegal sand Mining is being carried on with active conniving of Politicians and Police. Week ago raid was conducted against illegal sand mining in Vanxim. More details are awaited.

Restore fish breeding sites in CZMP!

All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union (AGSSRFU) strongly objects to the Goa Government proposal to Central government to remove fish breeding areas from the CZMP on the ground that Goa Fisheries Department and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) doesn't have scientific studies or information in this regard.

AGSSRFU also further objects to the promotion of Sand mining and tourism inside Goa's rivers on the same grounds of lack of data. Lack of scientific studies and information about fish breeding areas in Goa - if Goa Environment Minister's claim is true - is not due to any fault of rivers and fishing communities in Goa. It may be for other reasons like lack of focus of research scientists on fish breeding sites in Goa or lack of sanctioned funds for such scientific studies involving Fish Breeding Areas.

AGSSRFU was party to the consultation called by erstwhile Director cum Secretary to Fisheries in Goa Mr. Govind Jaiswal few years ago with scientists from NIO as well as ICAR. At that consultation Scientist from NIO revealed that entire Coast of Goa and riparian coast witness fish breeding and consequently entire coast and rivers needs to be protected.

Fisheries Department in Goa is subsidies oriented and schemes oriented since its inception, and more recently enforcement is attempted to be added as an additional component with moderate success. Research component is completely absent from the essential daily routine of Goa Fisheries Department. Goa's Environment Minister Nilesh Cabral is totally and completely wrong in accusing Goa Fisheries Department of lacking scientific studies on Fish Breeding Areas in Goa. Goa Fisheries Department doesn't even have rudimentary in-house study team to regularly scan various anti-fisheries policies and practices affecting Goa. In this context Fisheries Department carring on scientific studies on fish breeding areas is beyond posibility for Government has neither sanctioned budget nor appointed competent researchers in Fisheries Department. Hence Goa Government - of which Nilesh Cabral is part of  - is totally and completely responsible for the absence of scientific studies on fish breeding areas in Goa.

Goa Fisheries Department is in possession of data of Zuari river fish breeding areas submitted my fishing communities and same should be presented to Environment Minister Nilesh Cabral.

Various Coastal bio-diversity committees and other organisations has submitted detail maps of rivers displaying fish breeding sites in Goa's rivers. These are submitted to Goa Coastal Management Authority (GCZMA) under Ministry of Environment in Goa that Nilesh Cabral is heading. He should call first all these maps and access them for information on fish breeding areas.

Moreover if Goa Government is not satisfied with the submission from bio-diversity committees and other organisations on fish breeding areas in Goa then it should appoint scientific institutions to locate fish breeding areas in Goa like the was Goa State Bio-diversity Board (GSBB) appointed National Institute of Oceonagraphy (NIO) to identify sand clusters in Various rivers of Goa. It is rather bizarre that GSBB is more interested in identifying sand inside Goa's rivers for mining purpose rather than identify Fish Breeding Areas. It is even more surprising that Nilesh Cabral chose not to mention whether GSBB does or doesn't possess studies on Fish Breeding Areas in Goa in his press briefing reported in print media on October 25, 2022.

NIO studies submitted to GSBB and put out in public domain by the Director Mines and Geology, Government of Goa has important clues in this regard. It's Mandovi Survey Report notes that sand provides habitat to numerous forms of aquatic and riparian fauna. Second NIO study titled EIA/EMP for sand mining in Zuari Estuary, on page 138 notes "sand mining affects the area by limiting the ability of mined areas to function as a nursery area, and/or feeding ground for the fauna". Just because of demand for Sand from various commercial sources seeking to expand urbanisation Goa's rivers should not be pushed towards peril the way Goa Government is currently moving on to do.

AGSSRFU calls upon the Goa Environment Minister to withdraw the proposal sent to the Central Government to erase Fish Breeding Areas and entrust the responsibility to clarify status of natural fish breeding in Goa coast and rivers. AGSSRFU suggests that team of scientists from various competent research institutions in Goa be formed to Carry on full fledged short term and long tern study on fish breeding areas in Goa. Till it is completed and put out in public domain all the plans for erasure of fish breeding areas from CZMP 2019 and plans for Sand mining be put in abeyance.

Shortcut to Heaven!

I inwarded letter regarding illegal sand mining without mentioning any names at Vanxim at mid-night 00.50 am on September 22, 2022 at Old Goa Police Station.

Then at 7.35 am on September 25, 2022 I received threat to my life from Sadanand Tari allias Bayee in Vanxim Ferry. His house is close to Vanxim Ferry ramp. He told me that I have no public support and I will be overpowered by those engaged in illegal sand mining. He is from Vanxim and works with Police department as peon. When I asked him as to how he is affected with my letter he told me that he transports illegally mined sand in his tempo.

On September 27, 2022 at 11.00 am messenger came to me from Sadanand Bhosle from Vanxim informing me that they have got clearance from their higher ups to assault and kill me.

Those who are close to God doesn't fear death. I too don't fear death.

I personally wish to call all my friends and collaborators  to our beautiful island of Vanxim for which I will be laying down my life without resisting sand mining mafia of Vanxim. I am told not to resist this wickedness and I should pray and fast. I really want to meet all of you and say big thank you for all your care and love in Vanxim for the past dozen years.

I am really excited and looking forward to my shortcut to heaven facilitated by Goa Police leaking my letter to Vanxim Sand mining mafia. There is nothing new in their conduct.

I ready for death of any kind they might decide to give me if that is in  accordance with the will of God. For I live to fulfil the will of God and will die for the will of God.

But before my death I want to organize thanks giving prayers at Vanxim Holy Cross Chapel. I share close affiliation with this cross of the Lord for I had prayed for a girl in my life and I was awared with superlative Maggie Silveira as my wife.

I also want to pray for pardon and forgiveness of all my would be assasins and Conversion of their soul that they may come out of their infedel beliefs and embrace the Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ. For this reason they will be invited for the prayers too.

Currently we are in birth centenary year of my Father-in-law late Ligorio Feliciano Silveira whose father late Pedro das Silveira had facilitated settlement in Vanxim of the ancestors of all those who compose sand mining mafia and are threatening me. Their ancestors were brought to Vanxim as keepers of the sluice gates. Sluice gates are kept non-functional and paddy fields are perennially flooded with Mandovi water.

I really wish to meet you all one last time before Vanxim sand mining mafia take away my life. They believe that they are competent to kill me for they had kidnapped Ashok and Jamla, two workers at our place two decades ago and they are still missing. Sadanand Bhosle was involved then too. Life of crime is habitual for them.

Not to mention that these people has captured paddy fields from Maggie's ancestors in fraudulent manner and flooded them with Mandovi. Only good thing is they haven't surrendered to Gaunekar.

It is important that all these things are brought in public memory before my life is snuffed out.

If I survive then I will let you know when we can have a party. For the moment I live a miracle called life and getting prepared to surrender my soul in the hands of Heavenly Father.

May God turn my enemies as footstool to tread upon and crush like dust and blown away like chaff of paddy in a windy hurricane of God.

Martyrs are the saints of God and I too share desire for Martyrdom. And I don't want to miss this opportunity. They can destroy my Bob but can't touch my soul that is eternal.

Regina Martyrum, Opra Pro Nobis.

Queen of Martyrs, Pray for us.

Sebastian Rodrigues

Chronology of events concerning illegal sand extraction in Goa's Mandovi River and threat to life of Dr.Sebastiao A. Rodrigues

September 21, 2022

11.05 pm : Three cannoes noticed from Amboi-Vanxim with lights on engaged in sand extraction in Mandovi River

11.15 pm Emergency number to report sand extraction 112 dialled and complaint registered with reference number 135450. Police vehicle PINKFORCE-09(GA07G1625, Ph: 7030935471) assigned to assist. 

September 22, 2022

00.10 am

Police vehicle arrived at Amboi ferry point and contacted me over the phone. Police invited me to report on the spot of illegal sand mining at Vanxim Ferry point. I did report. One cannoe started the engine and fled. Other switched off their lights and stayed still in waters. Police informed me that they have no Patrol boat so they are in no position to reach to apprehend illegal sand mining boats at the distance of less than 30 Meters from Vanxim ferry point. Police had no whistle to blow and chase away sand miners. Police invited me to the police station at Old Goa and lodge formal complaint. I obliged and got into Police car.

00.50 am

Gave inward of handwritten letter dated 22nd September 2022  addressed to the Police Inspector, Old Goa Police station with subject: Illegal sand mining during night time in Mandovi near Vanxim.

September 25, 2022

7.35 am

On board Amboi-Vanxim ferry in the middle of Mandovi River I received threat to life from Prenanand Tari from Vanxim, an employee of Goa Police (Home Guard) for filing complaint against illegal sand mining near Vanxim. He admitted that his illegal sand mining transportation bussiness will be affected due to my Police complaint. He said that I should not file any more complaints as - according to him - I don't have any support in Vanxim.

September 27, 2022

11.00 am

I received message relayed through messenger sent by Sadanand Bhosle from Vanxim that all the legal sand miners of Vanxim had meeting and they have decided to kill me.

September 28, 2022

5.00 pm

Letter inwarded to the offices of Inspector General of Police, Director-General of Police, Superitendent of Police (North Goa), Sub-Divisional Police Officer (Panjim),  Director of Vigilance with subject: Inaction and threat to life on account of my complaint to Old Goa Police Station dated 22:09:2022 regarding mid-night illegal sand mining by unknown persons near Amboi-Vanxim ferry in Mandovi. Copy of the letter was marked to Waman Meshram, National President of Bharat Mukti Morcha, New Delhi and to the President, Goyche Fudle Pidge Khatir, Margao, Goa. Letter was neither addressed nor marked to Police Inspector of Old Goa Police Station.

5.30 pm

Goyche Fudle Pidge Khatir team and Roque Menezes from All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union joined me in a delegation to DYSP Sudesh Naik at Panjim Police Headquarters. After brief discussion Old Goa Police Inspector Satish V. Padwalkar was summoned in DYSP office and directed to book both the persons involved in threatening me. Complaint copy was handed over to Old Goa PI to take further action.

6.30 pm

Press briefing outside Police Headquarters on the issue of threats and illegal sand mining organised by Goyche Fudle Pidke Khatir.

07:30 pm 

I was called to the Old Goa Police Station over the phone. Five member team from Goyche Fudle Pidge Khatir joined me for the meeting with Old Goa Police team headed by Inspector Satish V Padwalkar. After initial hesitation he admitted possibility of Old Goa Police  station leaking my complaint letter to those involved in illegal sand mining in Vanxim. He promised to book two people involved in threatening me.

October 03, 2022

Anthony D'Silva from Ambelim released video in social media calling for Police protection to me. 

October 04, 2022

12.28 pm

Received phone call from Old Goa Police station that they have received wireless message from Superitendent  of Police (North Goa) calling me for urgent meeting with him at 4.00 pm today.

03.55 pm

At the office of Superitendent of Police, North Goa in Porvorim with team from Goyche Fudle Pidge Khatir. There I was informed that the meeting is postponed on account of some urgent work for SP-North Goa. I gave inward of the hand written letter to SP-North Goa informing him about my presence with punctuality and further request to him to intimate me a day in advance of the meeting. Immediately I received phone call from Old Goa Police station while I was still at SP's office that my meeting with SP is fixed for October 06, 2022 at 04.00 pm.

October 06, 2022

04.00 pm 

Meeting with Superitendent of Police (North Goa) Mr. Saxena. Team from Goyche Fudle Pidge Khatir joined me here. Old Goa Police Inspector Satish V. Padwal was present at the meeting. SP Saxena asked me to speak. I obliged and spoke briefly about sand mining and the threats I received due to leakage of my complaint to the accused involved in sand mining. I pointed out to the DGP Standing order on Sand mining in Goa dated 17:03:2022 under High Court directions. According to which SP is to visit illegal sand mining Hotspots once a month. I invited SP Saxena to visit Vanxim. He said "thank you very much!" SP Saxena then requested me to file complaints with Department of Mines and Geology as well as Collector, North Goa. I agreed to do so. SP then informed me that every complaint received at 112 is shared with task force on sand mining headed by the Collector. I then named the police constable at Old Goa Police Station who is involved in leaking my complaint information to the accused. SP Saxena requested me to immifiately file another complaint to SP - North giving name of this. police constable. 

Police Inspector Satish V. Padwalkar spoke saying that I had never met him in person ever. He then said that he has registered FIR against Premanand Tari and Sadanand Bhosle at Old Goa Police Station. SP directed PI to hand over copy of the FIR right now. PI obliged and gave me FIR copies.

I then filed fresh complaint before SP North Goa with subject title: leakage of my name in violation of DGP Standing order dated March 17, 2022.

7.00 pm

Received letter no. PI/OLG/7723/2022 from Nilesh Naik, HC - 4569, Old Goa Police Station dated 06/10/2022 with subject: Requests to provide eye witnesses in the crime. 

October 07, 2022

11.00 am

Attended investigations accompanied by Roque Menezes of All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union. Investigations were conducted by Head Constable Nilesh Naik (HC-4569). I told him that Police should take statement from the messenger who relayed death threat from Sadanand Bhosle which Police haven't done so far. In any I told him that I know know both Premanand Tari and Sadanand Bhosle for the past 12 years and we shared amicable relationships. This threats has come about more because of leakage at the Old Goa Police Station and I am more worried about this. Investigator then informed me that my complaint dated September 22, 2022 never reached Police Inspector and was kept totally blind. I then understood that lower ranked Police officials has processed my sand mining complained,  transmitted messages to those engaged in illegal sand mining and threats were administered to me. This is how police-mafia links operated! I requested two pages of paper to file fresh complaint against illegal sand mining at Vanxim. I told head constable that I want to test the leakage points and resulting threats. 

11.30 pm

Complaint filed at Old Goa Police Station with subject: Illegal sand mining at Eastern point of Vanxim in Mandovi.

October 08, 2022

6.45 am

Two Police cars reached Vanxim early morning searching those engaged in illegal sand mining. Then met me at 7.15 am in Vanxim on the road under tamarind tree. They said they couldn't find anyone engaged in illegal sand mining at the Eastern point of Vanxim. I told them that my complaint was of yesterday's illegal sand mining. 

October 14, 2022

2.10 pm

Entry of my today's complaint refused at the Old Goa Police Station. Subject line of my refused complaint: Illegal sand mining at Vanxim and Divar on October 14, 2022. Timings mentioned of illegal San mining at Vanxim between 00.05 am to 03.00 am, and at Vitogem, Divar at 07.05 am between latitude 15.53403760' and Longitude 73.8988627'. Action was requested as per DGP Standing order dated March 17, 2022. I was told by Police official in duty that my repeated complaints to Old Goa Police Station is creating problems as I file complaints against them for Inaction. Official told me that Police station doesn't have patrol vessels to venture in the water to intercept sand mining boats. I was directed to Panjim Coastal Police Station based at Ribandar to file fresh complaint.

October 15, 2022

Forwarded my complaint that was refused entry at Old Goa Police station - with covering letter - with subject: Illegal sand mining in Mandovi near Vanxim and Divar Islands, to DGP, IGP, SP-North Goa, SDPO Panjim, Collector- North Goa, Director of Mines and Geology, and SP- Coastal Security.

Filed complaint to the Police Inspector, Panaji Coastal Security Police Station, Ribandar with subject: Illegal sand mining in Mandovi at Vanxim and Divar on October 14, 2022. Copies marked and also inwarded to PI at Old Goa Police Station, SDPO Panjim, DYSP Coastal Security, SP Coastal Security at Panjim.

October 20, 2022

05.17 pm

Received call letter from the Police Inspector Ajit R Umarye with request to remain present at the inquiry regarding illegal sand extraction at Vanxim and Diwar as mentioned in my complaint dated 14.10.2022.

October 21, 2022

01.30 am

Four policemen attached to Panaji Coastal Security Police Station visited my residence. Purpose of their mid-night visit was to let me know that that moving about to catch illegal sand miners.

12.00 hrs

Attended meeting with Police Inspector Ajit R Umarye for an hour. I was accompanied by Roque Menezes  from All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union. Two main points he made: first that his Police station though entrusted with Coastal Security doesn't possess even a single patrol vessels to enter water. Secondly they are facing manpower shortage to enforce DGP Standing order on Sand mining. It is therefore impossible to implement DGP Standing order on Sand mining. He directed me to file complaints with Director of mines and Geology, and Captain of Ports. He also requested me to write to the concerned authorities requesting that all the seven Coastal Security Police stations in Goa be equipped with functional patrol vessels. For the past three years Coastal Police doesn't have functional patrol vessels and patrolling of the rivers is done through roads in jeeps which is not sufficient.

Team from Goyche Fudle Pidke Khatir came to the police station in my support.

I have signed one page Statement at Panaji Coastal Security Police Station requesting stopping of illegal sand mining.

October 25, 2022

4.00 pm

Mamlatdar along with Police carried on site visits to Vanxim and Divar regarding illegal sand mining.

October 27, 2022

Received telephonic information about illegal sand mining posing threat to Konkan Railway bridge in Mandovi near Old Goa.

October 28, 2022

Received correspondence dated 19/10/2022 from Directorate of Vigilance to the Director Mines and Geology, and the Superitendent of Police ( North Goa) regarding illegal sand mining near Vanxim and Diwar.

November 03, 2022

2.30 pm

Received phone call requesting my intervention regarding illegal sand mining at Sao Mathias- Naroa ferry point. Loading of illegally extracted sand takes place in trucks from Naroa ferry point in Mandovi.

Sd/-

Dr. Sebastiao A Rodrigues

Objections to the Blue Economy assault on Goa’s rivers

Date: February 27, 2020

To,

The Captain of Ports,

Government of Goa,

Panjim, Goa

Subject: Objections to the Blue Economy assault on Goa’s rivers

Sir/Madam,

It has come to our attention from the reports in media that Goa Government through your office is in the process of launching major assault on Goa’s rivers by setting up Jetties in various parts of Goa without holding Public hearing under the pretext that they are floating Jetties. It has also come to our attention that your office is all set to launch another major assault on Goas rivers by initiating dredging of various rivers of Goa like Chapora, Mandovi, Sal, Cumbharjua and Zuari without holding Public Hearings for the same.

Because of irresponsible attitude of your office barges has already created siltation of Goa’s major rivers like Mandovi, Zuari and Cumbharjua and recorded in the minutes of Goa State Pollution Board first meeting held on October 05^th 1988 destroying precious marine ecology of these rivers and still remains in a same state. Your office carried on EIA of Chapora river but why is it not shared with Public?

Because of irresponsible attitude of your office six of Goa’s rivers are declared as National Waterways without consulting fishing communities of these rivers. Because of irresponsible attitude of your office Mandovi river is conquered and assaulted by off shore casinos denying valuable space for small scale fishers.

Dredging is a major assault on marine life and your office is not bothered about it as if no one in your office is eating fish nor your office is bothered about hundreds of peoples engaged in fishing activities in Goa’s rivers. Dredging for Shipping purposes are known to create several problems such as Air and water pollution, sea floor erosion, wave and current regime alterations, introduction of invasive species, underwater noise pollution, land use change, water front congestion, health and labour issues and number of other ecologically destabilizing practices, environmental injustice, unequal power relations and social conflicts. Dredging of Mandovi river by Champions island has damaged marine ecology as informed by local fishermen from Diwar island and several marine species has disappeared.

Your decisions to set up Jetties and dredging of rivers is in violation of Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) India is signatory to SSF Guidelines and has committed to their enforcement via Article 54 of the National Marine Fisheries Policy 2017. It is also violation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG): 14 Life under water. Government widened roads to make them six land and destroyed several paddy field and people dependent upon the same. Now your office is determined to destroy livelihood of several more fisher people by destroying marine ecology to promote shipping industry. Shame!

Your are therefore requested to immediately respect Goa’s rivers and its marine ecology, stay away from launching assaults in the form of construction Jetties and Dredging of rivers for Shipping purpose in Goa. Destroying Goa’s rivers by your office will only aggravate situation of hunger that currently stands at 7000 deaths per day as per community kitchen case proceedings in Supreme Court of India.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

 Sd/-

Maggie Silveira

President, Goa State & National Council Member of National Platform of Small Scale Fish Workers (Inland)  

Illegal Sand mining in Mandovi river opposite Vanxim Church

Date: February 27, 2020

To,

The Collector (North Goa),

Panjim, Goa

To,

Director,

Department of Mines and Geology,

Panjim, Goa

Subject: Illegal Sand mining in Mandovi river opposite Vanxim Church

Sir/Madam,

This is to request your urgent attention to take action against ongoing illegal sand mining going on by use of canoes in Mndovi river opposite Santus Christus Church, Vanxim island. Extracted sand is transported via Trucks from Vanxim in a Ferry boat. We have received information that police officers attached to Old Goa Police station are involved in this illegal sand extraction. This is the reason for continues sand extraction in spite of High Court order against the same.

Kindly act and stop the above mentioned activity of sand extraction that is destroying marine ecology and fishing activities in Mandovi river.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

 Sd/-

Maggie Silveira

President, Goa State & National Council Member of National Platform of Small Scale Fish Workers (Inland)