Dears, First of all congratulations to Mr. Rajesh Patnekar, MLA [BJP] of Bicholim, Satish [BMC Chairperson], Naresh Sawal [Congress wannabe MLA] and all Dicholkars who were peaceful for getting the Deputy Collector to issue a ban/restriction on transport. The next logical step is to ensure that the law is uniformly applied regarding loading and speed of vehicles on the roads. Stopping trucks from Kalne-Maharashtra only is no solution. The man in Tivim s not killed by a Kalne truck. That ore was from Goa.
The preamble to the Constitution of India promises all citizens of India "EQUALITY of status and of opportunity" besides "JUSTICE social, economic and political" and "LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship". Yet, just two days after the 60th anniversary of the Republic over a hundred men who blocked mining trucks at Bicholim bridge ...and even assaulted a truck driver and pelted stones at it .... walk free, while a single priest and five mothers of school children who protested at Usgao are arrested under Sections 143 [unlawful assembly of people] and 341 of IPC [causing disorder] and jailed till bail [reportedly by by Power Minister Alex Sequeira for Fr. Felix Lobo, Parish Priest St. Joseph's Church, Usgao]. Overloaded trucks continue in Usgao while in Bicholim the Deputy Collector bans movement of trucks from Kalne mines. Is this the interpretation of the preamble to the Constitution of India by Digu-Kaka and his dozen Minister who have been sworn to office on the Constitution of India?? Hundreds protest against mining traffic in Bicholim HERALD CORRESPONDENT *Block bridge, assault truck driver and puncture tyres* BICHOLIM, JAN 28 Hundreds of people blocked the Bicholim Bridge on Thursday while protesting against mining traffic across the bridge. Incidentally, they also assaulted a truck driver and damaged his vehicle when he was trying to cross over the bridge. The traffic was also paralysed along the route for over four hours. Led by Bicholim MLA Rajesh Patnekar, the agitators had assembled near Bicholim Bridge at about 8.30 am. Angered by the movement of a mining truck, the agitators stopped the vehicle and assaulted the driver, who fled from the site. Later, the agitators parked the truck on the bridge and blocked the entire traffic along the route. The mob then pelted stones at the truck and punctured four tyres, causing a loss of about Rs 70,000. A Bicholim police team, led by PI Harish Madkaikar, rushed to the site and tried to pacify the agitators who demanded the presence of authorities to stop mining trucks plying along the route. As the traffic was halted on Bicholim Bridge, vehicles proceeding towards Sanquelim were diverted through Kudchirem road. At about 10.30 am, Deputy Collector Kenaudekar visited the site and informed the agitators that the issue could be solved through an amicable discussion. However, the agitators became furious and complained that such discussions since the last one year had yielded no results. They warned that they would call off the agitation only if the deputy collector gave a written assurance that mining trucks would not be allowed to ply through the city. When the deputy collector told the agitators that he did not have such authority, the mob threatened to hold a bandh in Bicholim if their demands were not fulfilled. Later, MGP President Pandurang Raut showed the deputy collector an earlier application submitted by them. Based on that, the deputy collector issued a conditional order under Section 133 of CrPC banning mining trucks plying from Kalne/Reddi in Maharastra with immediate effect. The order also directed truck owners to be present on February 8 to discuss the matter in the deputy collector’s office. Following this the agitation was called off at about 1.30 pm. Meanwhile, Bicholim police have registered an assault case against Bicholim Councillor Kamlakar Teli, following a complaint by the Bicholim Truck Association and one Sanjay Khandeparkar. Comments Alex Sousa Friday, January 29th, 2010 Excellent that the truck are ordered to STOP. They are a nuisance to the local community. Besides it also causes health problems to the locals in the affected areas. I do not understand how the leader of the present government can say that he represents a AAM ADMI government ? He must be PhD in LIES and DECEPTION and CHEATING. If he really means what he says , then he must immediately STOP all the mining trucks all over GOA that various nuisance and health problems to the Goa people. Now if you are a AAM ADMI friendly leader of the government, then please do not favour or take sides with the few NAGOUNE and TODDOKI BODMAS people, that operate the mines in GOA. They have completely ruined the health of the AAM ADMI in GOA, and now the same AAM ADMI has become the JAM ADMI, while you the chief minister enjoys a pollution free enviroment in your air conditioned office, car and also your residence too. No further comments. Viva GOA. Cheers..................................!!! ALEX ([email protected] ) Leave a Reply Tension runs high in Usgao as cops arrest priest, 5 others HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARCEL, JAN 28 Tension flared up in Usgao on Thursday when six persons, including the parish priest of St Joseph Church, were arrested on charges of blocking the road near Usgao Bridge. Fr Felix Lobo and five other women were among the villagers who had blocked the road after a student was injured in an accident earlier in the day. Angered over the arrest of Fr Lobo, a large crowd then marched to the Ponda police station and demanded the immediate release of the parish priest. Trouble broke out when a bus carrying school students and a truck collided with each other at Pratap Nagar, Usgao, at about 7.30 am. Accusing the truck driver for driving in a rash and negligent manner, Fr Lobo and a group of villagers protested by blocking the road near the Usgao bridge. A police team rushed to the site and tried to clear the blockade, but met with no response from the protesters. “Since Fr Lobo and villagers refused to clear the road even after several requests, police arrested them. A complaint was filed in this regard by truck owner Gajanan Naik,” PI C L Patil told Herald. PI Patil said Fr Lobo and the five other women were arrested for illegally blocking road and unlawful assembly under Sections 143 and 341 IPC. Fr Lobo said they decided to block the road after they came to know about the injured child and to demand action against the over-speeding trucks. “If we come on the streets, authorities say it is against the law. But what about the overloaded trucks that travel at high speeds? Is there any law for them,” asked Fr Lobo. “There was an order from the North Goa collector to stop mining transportation from 7 am to 8 am and from 1 pm to 2 pm during school hours. Authorities are, however, least bothered to implement this order,” said Fr Lobo. The situation worsened when truck owners from Usgao demanded the road to be cleared, resulting in heated arguments between the truck owners and protestors. “What is our fault? I want to know why my truck was illegally blocked. Who are they to block the traffic this way,” asked and angry Gajanan Naik, former sarpanch of Usgao-Ganje and a truck owner, who later filed a police complaint with Ponda police. Angry that Fr Lobo had been arrested, a number of villagers marched to the Ponda police station to demand the immediate release of the priest and the other women. Even though bail had been granted to all the arrested, PI Patil said Fr Lobo has refused bail and was willing to stay in the lockup. Police requested the 200-odd villagers, who had gathered in front of the police station to disperse. Since they refused, a strong police force was deployed at the site. At about 8 pm, Power Minister Alexio Sequera visited the police station and met the priest. “I had come to the police station for some personal work, where I happened to meet Fr Lobo, who is a friend of mine. I am driving him home as there is no transport at this time,” said the minister. When contacted, North Goa SP Bosco George, who was also at the police station, said: “We requested Fr Lobo and managed to persuade him to avail the bail. We will look out for a favourable solution to the issue,” he said. *Comments* *Joseph* Friday, January 29th, 2010 This Gondaraj in Goa from truck miners, Lord bless fr Lobo. *Trevor* Friday, January 29th, 2010 Kudos to Fr Lobo! Thank you for standing up for the people! Greed in Goa is destroying that beautiful land. Is is inspiring to see women standing strong for decency and respect for the people and the land!. Sadly there is another rape of Goa that is going on. The rape of its land and its resources....I encourge more Goans around the world in joining hands with these good people to protect our homeland. Goa has remained a paradise because of people that stood up to protect it from Greed. If we don't join in, the place we call home will no longer be ours. May God Bless Fr Lobo and the good people of Goa!! I hope to join you all soon to save Goa. I appeal to more Goans overseas to return home and save our home. *Alex Sousa* Friday, January 29th, 2010 Well done Fr Lobo. you have come out for your people with honest intentions. Why was Fr Lobo and some other other people arrested for protesting for a just cause ? There were a group of protestors out in the Colva streets, not so long ago. And they also blocked the traffic and made lots of inconvinence to the public as well as tourists. Why did the police not use the sections 143 and 341 then ???? The majority of the Colva residents were not even bothered about that issue. This clearly indicates that the road blockade at Colva was illegal. Anyway, Fr Lobo demonstrated for a just cause, namely the trucks that cause a nuisance in the community and he had the whole community to back him on that issue, still the police arrested him. This only proves one thing, that the GOA police force is INCOMPETENT and UNFIT for the jobs. You policemen are a drain on our exchequer. This is not the final comment here, against you. The readers of Herald are totally shocked and you will hear more from them. Viva GOA. Cheers.............................!!! ALEX ( [email protected] ) *George* Thursday, January 28th, 2010 What rubbish is going on in Goa. Its total lawlessness. Police instead on nabbing the culprits dared to arrest the innocent priest, whose only crime was he was protesting. This is now going too far. Digambar kamat govt needs to pack its bag as it has failed on all fronts. All the Ghatis are thriving in goa under the able leadership of Digambar. Although i am a regular voter of congress, but looking at the performance of the congress govt for last 4-5 yrs, i am totally feeling unsafe to live in Goa. If we compare the leadership of Parrikar with Digambar, Digamabar lacks the managing skills. I feel Parrikar Govt was far better than Digambars as we could see overall development of Goa. & secondly it was much safer. Maybe this is not related to the news caption, its the frustration thats Creeping upon in the minds of True goans, & there will be many who might share my views. Next election I will have to rethink who to vote? Thanks George D Merces Quepem residents protest overloading of mining trucks HERALD CORRESPONDENT QUEPEM, JAN 11 Residents of Quepem on Monday confronted the Quepem Assistant Director of Transport over the issue of transportation of overloaded mining trucks via Quepem town. The residents are irked with rampant transportation of overloaded mining trucks via Quepem town and that too by the side of the office of assistant Director of Transport. The residents said that there has been spillage of ore on the road which in turn causes dust pollution along the entire route of Quepem. Residents led by John Fernandes, Agnel Sequeira, Johnny Mascarenhas, Anthony Fernandes, Jose Carvalho, Piety DÂ’Costa and others questioned the RTO why public notification dated December 15, 2007, issued by the Directorate of Transport was not implemented. In reply, Assistant Director of Transport Ivo Rodrigues informed the agitators that his department was trying its level best to implement the notification and has already issued challans to a number of erring truck owners. Not satisfied with the reply, the agitators pointing to the trucks passing by the side of the office of Assistant Director of Transport informed that if challans are issued, then why overloading is still continued. The agitators informed the RTO that due to dust pollution caused by the mining trucks, school-going children are suffering from various problems and demanded 100% implementation of the notification from Tuesday. However, the agitators were not ready to leave the office premises unless they got a written undertaking of the implementation of the public notice dated December 15, 2007. However, after Rodrigues gave an assurance that the notification will be strictly implemented and no trucks would be allowed to be overloaded, the agitators left the office of RTO. Police were called to maintain law and order. One killed, 3 injured in Tivim road mishap HERALD CORRESPONDENT MAPUSA, JAN 16 One person was killed, while three others were injured in a road mishap at Tivim on Saturday night. According to Mapusa police, the incident took place at about 8 pm, when a Maruti Esteem car (GA-01/J-9524) was proceeding towards Bicholim, followed by an iron-ore laden truck (GA-04/T-3034). The truck rammed into the rear of the car near the Dhumaskar hospital and fell on its side. The iron ore spilled over and fell on a Honda Aviator scooter (GA-04/D-0527) and Yamaha motorcycle (GA-01/F-3914). While Prakash G Sawant was riding the Yamaha motorcycle, Binu Shashidaran was riding a scooter with Viju K B (32) as the pillion rider. *Viju was buried under the ore and died on the spot*, while Binu, Prakash and the car driver, K K Gandhi were injured in the mishap. -- -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-. Miguel Braganza, S-1 Gracinda Apts, Rajvaddo, Mapusa 403507 Goa Ph +91-9822982676;91-832-2255913 www.ofai.org www.pgsorganic.in Horticulture.Facilitation.Networking -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
