Highway Versus Sal river

The main flow of the Sal river has been blocked in order to carry forward with the new 4 lane highway project near the wholesale fish market, Madel, Margao. Complete blockage of the flow of the river, it may be temporary or permanent but it is totally unethical and has long term effects on the ecology of the river as a whole.

To make matters worse the river bed has been dug up furthermore and filled up with concrete which will cause permanent damage to the Sal which is already in a pathetic state due to sewage discharge. There were definitely alternate ways to carry on with the work without causing such a  disaster however this is the sad reality.

The water flowing down our rivers is vital to the natural equilibrium of the planet and its climate. It’s like the blood circulating through your body. If your bloodflow were blocked, you’d get cardiovascular disease, maybe even a heart attack. Well, blocking rivers is like intentionally blocking your veins and expecting no problems. 

It is my humble request to the locals and authorities to take keen interest in this river which has seen much better days in the past.

Samuel Aaron Afonso M.Sc. Carmona, Goa

When Goa Fisheries Department stinks...

According to reports at 10.30 pm today February 18, 2023 eight trawlers are carrying on illegal fishing in Zuari river. They have reached deep inside river at Nauxim and Siridao.

Fisheries department has refused to act for obvious reasons. Police says they can't act unless it is joint operation between police and Fisheries department. 

Fisheries department is not going for joint operation with Police against illegal trawling as Fisheries department most likely has joint operation with illegal trawling in zuari captained by history sheeter Kukalkar from Vasco. It is more rewarding operation with haftas in kind and cash.

Goa Fisheries Minister Nilkant Halarnkar says he has increased registration fees and license fees of fishing to build Jetties. He looks content with paralyzed  patrol boat of the Fisheries department that is perennially non-working condition.

This is the way Goa Fisheries are being deliberately destroyed by Goa Fisheries department. 

Fishermen on the zuari river are ready to co-operate with Fishieres department and Police. Fisheries department  is determined to promote illegal trawling in Zuari and creates countless hurdles in the path of crackdown on illegal trawling in Zuari river.

We are in times when Goa's Fisheries Department stinks.

Why did Goltim-Navelim Sarpanch Mario Pinto bluffed on Tourist Villages Development Scheme?

Goltim-Navelim is one of the two Panchayats in beautiful island of Divar in Mandovi River. The other Panchayat is Sao Mathias Panchayat. Due to mesmerizing beauty of the island tourism related interests are attempting to take over foothold on the island in various ways. Some houses on the island are sold off. Some land has been sold off. Roads are being built on the borders under the pretext of bund repairs. Tourism activities are being carried on on the island its North-western banks with official permission for Cage fishing. 

The latest concern to strike the islands of Divar (Goltim-Navelim Panchayat), St. Estevam and Chorao is tailor made scheme for the intrusion on these islands: Goa Tourist Villages Development Scheme 2021. These three Panchayats were sent invitation letter to participate in attending the meeting at Tourism Department even before the scheme was officially notified on official  Gazzette. And this is what points towards sinister intentions and the role of Mario Pinto.

The then Director of Tourism Menino D'souza addressed joint letter to the above referenced three Panchayats of Chodan/Chorao, Goltim-Navelim and St. Estevam on September 14, 2021. The subject header of the letter reads " Tourists Villages Development Scheme 2021". The letter to the three Sarpanchas is an invitation for a meeting to promote tourist village Development scheme to be held at Paryatan Bhavan on September 17, 2021 at 3.30 pm.

A day prior to the above schedule meeting Goa Official Gazzette notified the Tourist Village Development Scheme 2021 on September 16, 2021 in series I No. 25.

Attendance sheet of the September 17, 2021 meeting procured under RTI provides names, designations and signatures of those who attended this meeting as under:

1. Joanita D'costa, Sarpanch, St. Estevam 

2. Shirishkumar Tari, Secretary, VP St. Estevam

3.  Tukaram J. Naik, Secretary, VP Goltim-Navelim 

4. Ameez Baig, Experience Manager, Blive 

5. Siddharth Nagarcekar, General Manager (Operations), Blive

6. Mario Pinto, Sarpanch, VP Goltim-Navelim 

7. Ramesh Kundoikar, Panch, Goltim-Navelim 

It must be noted that Mario Pinto has signed the attendance sheet at serial no.6 of this meeting in his capacity as Sarpanch, Goltim-Navelim. Investigation has clarified that he did not consult the villagers of Divar and went about taking unilateral desicions keeping Gram Sabha in dark.

October 30, 2022 Gram Sabha of Goltim-Navelim Panchayat objected implementation of "Tourist Villages Development Scheme 2021" in the village.

On January 22, 2023 Times of India (https://m.timesofindia.com/city/goa/5-pyats-apply-for-tourist-village-devpt-scheme/amp_articleshow/97183929.cms) included Goltim-Navelim Panchayat as amongst five Villages in Goa that has applied for implementation of Tourist Villages Development Scheme 2021 within their Jurisdiction. This was shocking information and the role of Mario Pinto the Sarpanch came under scanner for his undue favoritism to tourism lobby bypassing village interests.

In February village Panchayat announced its Gram Sabha meeting for Sunday, February 12, 2023 and called for points to be part of the agenda. One of the residents Roque Menezes wrote to the Sarpanch on this issue and gave inward on February 04, 2023 with contents as under:

"My point is once again on the "Jetties Policy of the Tourism Department" which was discussed in the Panchayat at the last Gram Sabha. Once again we reiterate, this policy introduced by the Govt will completely wipe out the Coastal  communities of Goa. This is a big threat to our Fishing community at Vitogem as such we the residents would like to know what initiate the Panchayat has proposed to protect the interest of the Fishing community in our village. And also what is the Panchayat's stand in this regard.

Further to this, once again .. I wish to know about the "Tourist Villages Development Scheme 2021" initiated by Department of Tourism. In this regard what has been the stand of the Panchayat body ?? What is the benefit of this Scheme to the village communities, people of our village, and the village as a whole, what is the relations between this Scheme and the "Jetties Policy"? What will be the Panchayat's role, what will be the benefit for the Panchayat??? In short, we want this subject be discussed at the Gram Gram Sabha and feedback of the various communities be taken into consideration."

Goltim-Navelim Sarpanch addressed rather unusual letter to Roque Menezes on February 09, 2023 with contents as under:

"That as regards Jetty Policy the Panchayat has sent its objections which were read at the last Gram Sabha meeting held on 30.10.2022 to the Government vide resolution no. 4(1). That therefore the same be taken note of beyond which the Panchayat has no power. As regards your point at serial no. 1 the same is satisfactorily addressed.

As regards point no. 2 pertaining to tourist village development scheme of 2021, it is humbly stated that no such decision has been so far taken in that regard by the Panchayat. "

In view of the above reply it is pertinent to ask few questions:

1. If Panchayat has not taken such decision then why did Mario Pinto attend meeting at the Tourism Department. 

2. If Panchayat has not taken such decision then why Mario Pinto has not countered above cited Times of India report that declared Goltim-Navelim Panchayat has applied for the Tourist Development Scheme 2021 citing Goa Tourism Department as its source?

Confirmed shocking reality of Goa Fisheries Department

Confirmed reports have come in of massive illegal trawl fishing in Zuari river by around dozen trawlers on the night of February 06, 2023.

Confirmed reports have also come come in of massive illegal purse seine fishing in Zuari river by around another dozen boats on afternoon of February 07, 2023.

Confirmed reports have come in that both these incidents of fishing dacoity has taken place off coast of Cacra-Odxel coast of Zuari river.

Confirmed current legal status indicate that both - trawlers as well as purse seine - fishing gears are banned from use inside the rivers and within 5 kilometers from the shore. 

Confirmed reports indicate that when Fisheries Control room was informed over the phone it was replied that Fisheries department patrol boat is in dysfunctional state. In the age of technology Fisheries department cannot maintain 24 hours Patrol. It's totally disgusting to note.

Confirmed reports points out that Department of Fisheries, Government of Goa are complicit in these illegalities by establishing criminal nexus with the trawlers and purse seine fishing boats lobby as evident from the fact it's patrol boat has been kept in dysfunctional state for last three months. This is the state of affairs since 2014. Haftas collected needed to be calculated by Vigilance department. 

Confirmed reports indicate that trawl fishing gear digs river surface disrupting marine ecology intensely.

Confirmed reports indicate that purse seine fishing nets use mesh size of 8 mm where as approved legal permits 24 mm. 

Confirmed reports indicate that both trawlers and purse seine fishing depletes fish stock in rivers besides causing other problems.

Confirmed reports reveals that the responsibility of crackdown on illegal fishing by trawlers and purse seine fishing boats is with enforcement section within fisheries department and it has deliberately committed dereliction of duty by promoting and supporting illegal trawling and purse seine fishing in Zuari river.

Confirmed reports further reveals that the  said enforcement section of the Fisheries department has been in coma state when it comes to crackdown on illegal trawling and illegal purse seine in Zuari river over the past three months, it has been active and agile in hiking various fishing related registration fees, license fees and security deposit fees by 200 percent to 1000 percent of small scale fisheries. 

Confirmed reports of Goa Fisheries Minister Nilkant Halarnkar plunges in post truth state due to unknown causes as reveals from each of his statements to the media after the latest mega hike in fishing fees across board. Each of his statements are contrary to what the official Gazette records on massive fishing fee hikes.

Confirmed reports further disclose that Goa fisheries department has deliberately ignored several requests to increase fuel subsidies from Rs.50,000/- to Rs.75,000/-. Instead the said department has reduced these subsidies from Rs.50,000/- to Rs.30,000/-.

Confirmed reports indicate that even though fisheries department has increased fishing fees upto 1000 per cent it has not enforced its decision. As a result only those fisher registered are punished with economic terrorism of the Fisheries department. Other go scot fee. So Fisheries department either has enforce its rules across the board - for which there is popular resistence - or scrap the rules.

Confirmed reports reveals that in the face of mega illegal fishing in Zuari river Goa Fisheries Department has immersed in planning mega fish festival at Campal  Panjim on 10 to 12 February 2023.

Confirmed analysis of the brochure of the  said aqua life mega fish festival indicate that illegal fishing by trawlers and purse seine fishing in Zuari river is not placed for discussions on any of the festival days. This festival therefore is waste of public funds spent on fashion show, cooking and other entertainment that department is organising instead of increasing fleet of patrol boats with department of fisheries.

Confirmed facts reveals that Goa Fisheries Department cares a dam about aquatic life annihilated in illegal purse seine fishing in Zuari river and additionally marine ecology disrupted due to trawling in Zuari.

Confirmed reports indicate that while fisheries department has gone about increasing fishing fees it has completely neglected large scale plastic and effluent release in rivers that pollutes and hinders fishing activities.

Confirmed distilled insights indicate that entire Goa Fisheries Administration headed by an IAS officer as Secretary to Fisheries and Director of Fisheries is corrupted beyond limits. This indicates one of the series of collosal failures of India rule in Goa after the Annexure through conquest in December 1961.

All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union calls for drastic overhauling in priorities of the Goa Fisheries department as under:

1. Roll back of cut in fishing subsidies.

2. Roll back in fishing fee hikes to all except to Trawlers and purse seiners.

3. Increase fuel subsidies to Rs.75,000/-. 

4. Increase fishing patrol boat fleet to six from current one that is in perennial dysfunctional state. 

5. Appoint local people in Odxel and Cacra coast as quasi judicial officers to crackdown on illegal trawling and purse seine fishing in Zuari river as entire Goa Fisheries machinery has flopped.

6. Authorize use of local fishing connoes to counter illegal trawlers and purse seiners in Zuari.

7. Formation of task force to clean up plastic from the rivers of Goa till the plastic entanglement in fishing nets of stakes and gillnets is stopped.

8. Allocation of funds to attain above points nos. 3,4,5,6 and 7.

My name is Anthony Lopes!

My name is Anthony Lopes and I am 60 years of age.

My neighbour one Akhil Gupta has purchased 700 sq. mtrs. of land and is building a building.

He has dug a pit nearing 9 Mtrs deep and the mud caved in and my compound wall and two electric poles collapsed and my residential building is on the verge of collapse.

I complained to NGPDA, Deputy collector, the Village Panchayat Calangute and the Police. 

The police came three times only to tell me it is a civil matter. And today they brought men and women bouncers and heavy JCB machines and are excavating once again.

How is a senior citizen to get safety and Justice?

Massive Illegal Trawling in Zuari

It's 9.30 pm today January 05, 2023. There are dozen trawlers inside Zuari river engaged in illegal trawling off Odxel shore.  Fisheries department control room helpline number 08322425263 has suddenly gone none responsive. 

A day before one attendant at control room information thar department patrol boat is not functioning. 

Superitendent of Fisheries entrusted duty to crackdown on illegal fishing by trawlers is Pritam Gaonkar. She too non-responsive and commits routine dereliction of duty. 

The flow of events indicate that there is Goa fisheries department is in criminal nexus with Trawlers to promote illegal fishing. There is likely huge underhand dealings between Fisheries department and trawler lobby for past 10 days of loot.

The intention of Goa Fisheries Department is to destroy Zuari river fisheries by keeping patrol boat non-functional.

All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union strongly condemns Goa fisheries department for large scale promotion of trawling in zuari river. Trawling is banned in rivers. 

Trawlers are from Malim Jetty are carrying on this illegal fishing within one kilometers from the shore whereas trawling has to be 5 kilometers away from the shore. 

Blatant violations are being supervised by Director of Fisheries, IAS officer as Secretary to Fisheries and Minister of Fisheries. Entire Goa Fisheries administration has turned dramatic corrupt, rotten.

If an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer heading fisheries administration cannot enforce law and order in Zuari that means failure of Indian Rule in annexed Goa.

Will Talegao be torch bearer for Freedom yet again after 512 years?

Believe it or not evidence revealed that Talegao village in Tiswadi has Urbanized aggressively and irresponsibly over the past some years. Telegao Panchayat has revealed that within its Jurisdiction there are 04 Group Housing Approval licensed projects, 37 Residential multi-dwelling housing buildings approved licensed projects, and 31 multi-storied approved licensed projects.

Even though there is no data as to how many of these are constructed by filling up paddy fields but likely to be huge considering memories of any one familiar with Talegao or their occasional protesting belligerent farmers over the past three decades. 

There is also evidence that local Panchayat has none of these buildings' post occupancy audit reports done as required by law. This is huge scam and need further investigation.

Talegao is classic example of what urbanisation is without planning and with political bullying. In the absence of long term perpective plan in place urbanisation is further sought to be accelerated through Outline Development Plan (ODP). It is evident from the available evidence on Talegao that Urbanisation has taken monstrous form and political rulers has fueled it.

Time has come to re-look and re-think on urbanisation in Goa. Situation on ground indicate that we need to move towards de-urbanisation and increase  protection to and expansion of rural Goa. Urbanisation coupled with digitilizatization for smart cities is subtle orientation towards surveillance slavery.

People of Talegao historically has been defenders of Freedom. It is their chieftains that forged into alliance to overthrow tyrannical rule of Adil Shah in 1510. After 512 years can Goa look at Talegao with hope to lead yet another Freedom struggle against oncoming urban slave state? Can Talegao lead the band of torch bearers in our times? We extent solidarity in hope and optimism. To Talegao.

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