Video: Scars on the forgotten land

This film by students covers important controversy surrounding land in Goa. This video features Ganesh Gaonkar and Ramkrishna Jalmi, two activists who are in the forefront of battle to defend Goa's land. Watch this video here. 

Video: St. Jacinto Island

This island of St. Jacinto island has very determined residents. They do not sell their island land to anyone. The island has fishing as important activity in Zuari River. Click here to watch.

Video: Fishing Practices in Goa

This video prepared by students documents fishing practices in Goa. Please here to watch.

Video: Fisher-folks of Bambolim

This is a nice video prepared by students on fishing controversies in Zuari River. Please click here to watch.

No compromises on fishermen' interest in Zuari River

On 8th October 2015 Bharat Mukti Morcha organized public awareness meeting cum press conference to highlight various problems faced by coastal people of Goa. Around 75 people participated in deliberations.

 Anthony Veronica Fernandes from Candolim addressing the public meeting. He shared his experiences in Konkni movement as to how he raised Rs. 5 lakhs from Gulf Goans but were cheated. He said in 1980's two groups of people fought each other or rather made to fight each other. One group that wanted Marathi as state language and the second group that wanted Romi Konkani was State language. Both were cheated and Dev nagri Konkni was made State language of Goa. This happened because because of Bamon Uday Bhembre and others. Veronica advised Bharat  Mukti Morcha to be alert of Bamons and their conspiracies.

 This picture shows Bharat Mukti Morcha Convener Maggie Silveira initiating the discussions on fishing issues and coastal people's issues in Goa specially in Zuari River and Baina Coast. Maggie disclosed that she has been offered blank cheques to compromise the agitation of fishermen but she has refused to accept the offers. She declared that movement of Bharat Mukti Morcha will go ahead without any compromises. For detail leaflet click here.

Also seen on the dais are Soccorro Braganza, Janardhan Tamakar, Sanjay Pereira, Sitaram Pereira. The two ladies sitting either side of Maggie Silveira are Jaya Kuttikar from Odxel and Amrutem Kukalkar from Nauxim. Janardhan Tamankar also spoke on the occasion highlighting various conspiracies that are unfolded in India to promote Bamon Raj.

Dinanath Gaonkar from Sirgao speaking on the occasion at the meeting. He highlighted problems faced due to mining specially problems relating to water shortages, destruction of paddy fields, destruction of forest etc. Dinananth said that there is one sided approach adopted by the state government to re-start mining in Goa at any cost that will backfire.

Dr.Anthony Rodrigues, Fr.Agnel College, Pillar - Goa, addressing the meeting on the need to have crematoriums to everyone without any blockades. He is a petitioner before the State Human Rights Commission on this issue.

Section of people who came for the meeting. People from Baina Beach also participated in the meeting. The detail press statement click here.

Illegal Trawler Fishing, Tourism Boats, Marinas, double standard in CRZ implementation threatens Marine and Human Life in Goa!

Bharat Mukti Morcha is deeply concerned about villagers of Agacaim, Siridao, Bambolim, Nauxi, Cacra, Odxel, Caranzalem in Tiswadi, Madkai in Ponda, Chicalim, Vasco, Sancoale and Cortalim are greatly troubled due to threats to livelihood they earn from Fishing in Zuari River using non mechanized fishing methods. Since April 2014 fishing nets of the fishermen have been cut up by water sports boats of the Hotel Grand Hyatt located in Bambolim and fishing activities disrupted. When fishermen objected to this, then Agacaim Police Inspector Devendra Gad came over to Bambolim beach on 19^th April 2014 and slapped local fisherman Vishnu Kankonkar. After that there has been a repeated fishing rights violation. In addition this Hotel Grand Hyatt has blocked access to the Cross and the Chapel by putting up fencing wall from all sides thereby violating community rights. Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) has forced setting up of two private marinas inside Zuari River at Sancoale and Nauxim Coast. These marinas are for the rich and will completely disrupt our fishing activities and both the lease deeds of 12 and 14 October 2010 has safety provisions only for mining barges transportation and fishermen are not even acknowledged to exist. Life of this lease deed is 30 years. One lease at Nauxim is with Kargwal constructions Pvt Ltd and other at Sancoale is with Yacht Heaven Pvt. Ltd.

Fishermen are facing grave threats from the illegal – cum- unsustainable fishing carried on by trawlers that dig up the riverbed disrupting fish spawning and breeding site in Zuari River. Trawlers are banned from fishing within 5 kms from the coast in Arabian Sea, while there is complete ban on trawlers in rivers of Goa. Goa State is promoting illegal trawler fishing in Zuari River by refusing to station permanent patrol vessel in Zuari River. State does is not allocating Rs. 2 crores to buy Patrol boat in Zuari while sanctioned 25 crores to leading hotels to set up Golf Course in Tiracol when local people are opposing. Reports have come that traditional fishermen ‘Ramponkars’ has clashed with mechanized boat locally known as ‘Dinki’ in Arabian Sea  close to Caranzalem beach. This clash too has been due to current crisis in the Fisheries department where bamon Raj rule is in force. Entire Fisheries bureaucracy in Goa has miserably failed to protect Zuari River and Arabian Sea traditional fishermen and implement Goa, Daman and Diu Fisheries Regulation Act 1980 and the Rules framed for this Act in 1981. 

Double standards are followed in undertaking demolition in Coastal areas. In Baina, people’s houses were demolished on 26^th September 2015. In 2009 when Supreme Court ordered demolition of portion of Cidade de Goa hotel, State Government came out with Ordinance to protect this five star hotel and changed law. Ordinance was soon ratified in the Goa Legislative Assembly. Why no ordinance is passed to protect coastal dwellers? Similarly Hotel Grand Hyatt is found illegal by Goa Bench of Bombay High Court in for violating CRZ laws. Yet the Hotel is allowed to operate by paying fines. Why this double standards? BMM calls for halt to any GCZMA initiated demolitions at Katem, Baina till starred Hotels Grand Hyatt and Cidade de Goa are demolished. 

Two Mobile towers in Bambolim and Nauxim; public wants to be uprooted due to radiation. 

Jai Bharat!                Jai Mulnivasi!                          Jai Goa!

Bharat Mukti Morcha press release on Goa Coastal People's grievances

1.    Bharat Mukti Morcha (BMM) condemns double standards followed in undertaking demolition on Goa Coast. In Baina, people’s houses were demolished on 26^th September 2015. In 2009 when Supreme Court ordered demolition of portion of Cidade de Goa hotel State Government came out with Ordinance to protect starred hotel and change the law. Ordinance was soon ratified in the Goa Legislative Assembly. Why no ordinance is passed to protect coastal dwellers? Similarly Hotel Grand Hyatt is found illegal by Goa Bench of Bombay High Court in for violating CRZ laws. Yet the Hotel is allowed to operate by paying fines. Why this duplicity? BMM calls for halt to any GCZMA initiated demolitions at Katem, Baina till starred Hotels Grand Hyatt and Cidade de Goa are demolished. BMM is aware that Baina demotions are carried on to facilitate MPT expansion. BMM calls for safeguarding of Baina Bay as well as Vasco Bay for fishing.

2.     BMM Calls for repeal of laws allowing casino gambling in Goa and stop casino installation at Hotel Grand Hyatt, Bambolim. BMM has submitted the letter dated 30/09/2015 to Chief Minister as Casinos has converted Goa into a brothel of India.

3.     Traditional Fishermen in Zuari River are facing threats from Mechanized fishing vessels. BMM has called for dismissal of Director of Fisheries Dr.Shamila Monteiro for her failure to implement ban on trawlers within 5 kms from the shore. BMM had meetings with Director of Fisheries and Secretary to Fisheries yet Goa, Daman and Diu Fisheries Regulation Act, 1980 remains unimplemented. Chief Secretary has refused to grant appointment too. Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado exhibited arrogance on 3/9/2015 over the phone with Rohidas Andrade, BMM Bambolim convener.

4.     BMM calls upon MPT to cancel the two lease deeds signed on 12 and 14 October 2010 for 30 years with Kargwal Constructions Pvt Ltd and Yacht Heaven Pvt.Ltd of Chowgule to set up Marinas in Zuari River as they will adversely affect fishing. Chowgule by mining already caused water depletion in Sirgao and drying up of over 300 wells in Mayem.

5.    BMM condemns resumption of water sports activities by Aqua Sail on 04/10/2015 in Zuari River affecting fishermen from Cacra, Nauxim, Bambolim, Siridao and Odxel.

6.    500 people signed BMM letter of 13/08/2015 asking Bambolim Panchayat to revoke N.O.C granted to two mobile towers in Bambolim and Nauxim villages. 120 people has signed BMM letter dated 30/07/2015 to the Goa State Pollution Control Board urging to revoke the permissions granted to install mobile towers in Nauxim and Bambolim.

Sd/-

Maggie Silveira,

President, Goa Unit

Action ordered in Pontoon fraud in Mandovi

Additional Collector - I North Goa via letter dated 22-09-2015 has directed Deputy Collector and S.D.O. Panaji to take appropriate action on the compliant filed by Bharat Mukti Morcha on 19 June 2015 involving Ozone Corporate that is planning to grab Vanxim Island. The content of the letter involves plans of the corporate to set up floating Pontoon Jetty at Panelim, Old Goa. Complaint letter content can be viewed here.

Pictures of illegal sand mining in Mandovi River near Vanxim - Divar Ferry

 This is a latest instance of illegal sand mining in Mandovi near Vanxim island.

Complaint about illegal sand mining was lodged by Bharat Mukti Morcha in May 2015. Here is copy of the complaint.

There is wide spread opinion that local police at Old Goa are on regular pay roll of the illegal sand miners. Since Mining Minister is Laximikant Parsekar it cannot be ruled out that percentage of the "haftas" (Bribes) collected is channeled to him as well. Political Parties needs to be brought under the purview of the Right to Information Act 2005 to check as to who is funding Political Parties that are ruling as well as Opposition to speak as well as to maintain strategic silence on certain issues.

Bharat Mukti Morcha condemns Baina demolitions

Bharat Mukti Morcha strongly condemns demolition of people's houses at Baina beach on 26th September 2015 under the direction from Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority. 157 houses were demolished in order to clear up the beach. Bharat Mukti Morcha observes double standards in enforcing the CRZ regulations in Goa. Bharat Mukti Morcha calls for immidiate halt to any future demolitions at Katem-Baina.

The Supreme Court of India, on January 21, 2009 had ordered demolition of a portion of Cidade de Goa, owned by Fomento Resorts and Hotels that houses 54 hotel rooms besides a health club, conference and business rooms and other facilities. Goa Government instead of demolishing the hotel changed the law through ordinance to amend a 114-year-old law in order to save a portion of a five-star resort.

Demolition was ordered as the hotel management violated certain guidelines in the agreement reached between the government and the resort and three months were given to implement the order. At this juncture State Cabinet decided to promulgate an ordinance amending the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 so that the government is empowered to modify any agreement with the hotel management to meet any exigencies. At that time employees association had pointed out that around 650 jobs would be lost, if demolition takes place. All this is recorded in times of India report available online at the links:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Goa-to-bring-ordinance-to-save-five-star-resort/articleshow/4194603.cms

Government it appears was concerned about jobs of 650 people and now careless about houses where more than 2000 people stay for many decades. The point is that Cidade de Goa was protected through ordinance route and then ratified in Goa Legislative Assembly for the reasons of race. Audhoot Timblo who owns the Hotel Cidade de Goa, Digambar Kamat then Chief Minster of Goa as well as Manohar Parrikar, then Leader of the Opposition are all Euressian Bamons. Ordinance was passed to protect Bamon Raj. In Baina no Bamon is affected and all the people are mulnivasis.

Again we see the similar situation in case of Hotel Grand Hyatt in Bambolim. The high court of Bombay at Goa on 25th February 2014 delivered a split verdict on a petition filed by two NGOs against Hotel Grand Hyatt and others at Bambolim for illegal constructions in a no-development zone (NDZ). Justice Roshan Dalvi directed demolitions of constructions within 100m of the high tide line (HTL) of the river bank, while justice F M Reis set aside the permissions granted and ordered the authorities to examine the revision/re-validation of the plan afresh. Justice Reis ordered exemplary and punitive costs on the respondents and directed Goan Real Estate and Construction Ltd and Goan Hotels & Clubs Pvt Ltd to pay Rs 25,00,000.

That means both the Judges found Hotel Grand Hyatt illegal. One Judge advocated demolition while other one ordered exemplary punishment.

Then on 22nd January 2015 Justice U V Bakre in his judgment has agreed with the findings of Justice F M Reis, who in his judgment had sought penalty and revalidation of the construction of hotels at Bambolim, and not demolition. That means Hotel Grand Hyatt was protected and construction carried on illegally in no-development zone was condoned and allowed to exist. Why then demolition in Baina? This is recorded in Navhind Times report :

http://www.navhindtimes.in/bambolim-illegal-construction-judge-upholds-punitive-costs-revalidation/

We understand that people of Baina are no Eurasian Bamons. They are mulnivasis living on beach, engaged in hard work, fishing and other type of work. We are also aware that MPT has plans to establish its control over Baina Beach.