MR. Sinha article is really thought provoking. Personality of Mr. Sinha was not known to many. He was hiding behind the walls of Dempo when people where objecting for illegal tender/contract for transportation of mine rejects from Betul Mines, which was closed 40 years ago. This mine is located at Nuem, Cola. Not a single line in his paper for the uproar by the people. Show him this report from Herald Nuem panel wants mining activity stopped BY HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, APRIL 5 - The Nuem Cola Bachao Andolan Committee has asked Chief Minister Digambar Kamat to immediately stop mining activity as well as transportation of mine from Nuem-Cola area. A delegation of the Committee drew attention of the Chief Minister over attempts to forcefully transport mine from Nuem to some other areas via Cananguinim by destroying the ecology. The Committee pointed out that residential houses in the area are mostly facing the sea and the only safety for the locals in the area is the stocked mine which stands deposited since the last 40 years. "If the mining activity takes place in this area, the sea water will gush into the houses, causing great damage and destruction", the villagers maintained. A memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister contended that the villagers are certain about imminent danger if the stocked mine is lifted away and asked Kamat to protect and safeguard the lives of the people under the right to life. Outlining the reasons against the transportation of the mine, the Committee said the mining dump in the area offers protection from the sea for the people and their homes from wind and storm. "There's a school at Gonvol, Molorem and Pagi Vaddo which is on the road side will cause danger for the children", they said. Saying that people of Cananguinim have expressed their strong objection to take the mines from their village, they pointed out that the recently formed Citizens Action Committee have decided to stop any mining activity in their Betul Panchayat area. The Committee impressed upon the Chief Minister to block the proposed activity for the welfare of the people before any loss take place in the area. Villagers, officials stop mining firm in its tracks HERALD CORRESPONDENT QUEPEM, MAY 21 - Villagers from Nuem-Khola and officials of the Directorate of Industries and Mines foiled attempts by a mining company to start mining activities in the area on Wednesday morning. At about 9 am, a strong posse comprising about 150 police personnel from Cuncolim, Margao, Maina-Curtorim, Colva and IRBP, headed by Cuncolim Police Inspector Sidhant Shirodkar and Colva Police Inspector Edwin Colaco along with Canacona Executive Magistrate Vinayak Volvoikar were present at the site. Police started clearing the obstruction along the road leading to the leased portion of the mines, to facilitate access to the mining company to resume mining operations. The news spread like wildfire and a large number of villagers rushed to the site. However anticipating arrest, villagers did not obstruct the activity. Three jeeps from the Directorate of Mines also rushed to the site. Senior Technical Assistant Hector Fernandes of the Directorate of Mines and Geology then served notices to the contractor, police and the villagers, stating: "Mining of minerals or lifting of minerals from the ex-mining lease is prohibited without the sanction from the government." "Any person engaged in such activity in contravention of Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulations) Act 1957 is liable for prosecution," the notice stated. At about 10.30 am, Quepem legislator Chandrakant Kavlekar, in whose constituency Nuem falls as per the delimitation, also reached the site. Kavlekar informed the police that no mining activity, which is against the villagers, should be carried out. Police were stationed at the site till 4 pm. Residents witnessing the entire incident criticized the police for clearing the road in the private property. "Are they employees of the mining company," asked Carlito Pereira, adding that he and other residents would oppose mining activity in the area. "The mining company's lease had expired in 1990. The company with the help of the contractor planned to transport the ore, which was termed as rejected 20 years ago," claimed one local. "The Quepem deputy collector and the Agriculture Department had inspected the site and stated in their report that the proposed mining activity is illegal, which would affect the agriculture." "Without permission from the Directorate of Mines, Indian Bureau of Mines and Ministry of Environment and Forest, the company planned to transport the rejected ore. The motive was to start the leased portion and to keep locals at bay," a villager stated. Locals have alleged that the contractor, whose father is a prominent member of the Congress, had filed a case against five locals before the civil court, Margao. "The contractor even managed to get ex-parte injunction in the matter. Based on ex-parte injunction, the contractor managed to get police protection on Wednesday," claimed the residents. Speaking to Herald, residents said that though the case has been filed against five locals, Cuncolim police had sent notices to 40 villagers, directing them not to interfere in the mining activities. Message: 5 Date: Wed, 25 Jun 2008 13:13:30 +0530 From: "Dr. U. G. Barad" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [Goanet] Goa of Our Dreams: Living Within a China Wall To: <[email protected]> Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" One of Goanet member wrote - fantastic write-up by intellectual Sinha, the Editor of Navhind Times, we need more intellectuals like this in Goa. I don't want to react to this but let me place before Goanet Court certain facts and let members arrive at conclusion. 1. Non-Goan Sinha is intelligent.. That is the reason he is still will Navhind Times 4. Navhind Time, owned by prominent mining tycoon of Goa always made sure that Navhind Time is like Official Gazette for Goa, irrespective of which party is in power! Why? Think deep and you will understand. 5. Navhind Time, including other local news papers has recently changed their faces due to entry of Times of India - Goa edition.. for its and their survival. 6. Now check the timing of article by Sinha and off late turbulent development in Goa. And also read the message No: 3, dated: Wed, 25 Jun 2008 by Frederick [FN] Noronha on above subject Now start thinking and thinking .. and arrive at your own conclusion as to what we need in Goa. Best regards, Dr. U. G. Barad
