WORLD HUMAN RIGHTS DAY DECEMBER 10, 2008
ALL GOA REPRESENTATION AGAINST HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES BY GOA POLICE To, Director-General of Police, Police Headquarters, Panjim, Goa. Subject: Human Rights violations by Goa Police in the mining belt of Goa Sir, We are deeply appalled by the repeated attacks by Goa police on villagers agitating against life-threatening mining operations all over Goa in the mining belt. We have come to Police Headquarters to meet with you to demand a halt to such police abuses against citizens. We strongly protest such abuses. When you took charge of Goa Police, you announced a very important thrust area for the Goa Police. You said (and these are your own words): "If we are able to win the hearts of the people we are paid to serve, more than half our battle is won. This can happen only if we are able to perform not only on the law & order and crime front, but also in our public dealings by our helpful and sympathetic behaviour towards people who come to us in their moment of distress. We should also have regular meetings and interactions with them and give them a sense of involvement in our work. Cases where women, children and the elderly are victims of crime should always receive our prompt attention." Records with us show as many as 27 instances of repressive police interventions against protesting villagers and on behalf of mining companies in various parts of Goa in just one year alone. Colomba in Sanguem, Advalpal in Bicholim and Nuem, Khola in Canacona are the three villages under constant threat of police abuse (list is annexed to this memorandum). It is widely acknowledged that mining operations not just in these villages, but in other parts of Goa as well, are being conducted without following any environmental or other norms. Government authorities stand by and watch and do nothing about people's complaints. Mining trucks kill people indiscriminately through overspeeding. In many areas, overloading is a norm: your road traffic officers simply watch as public roads and traffic deteriorate in the face of overloading. Mining activities are destroying water sources, paddy fields, and otherwise disrupting the peaceful Goan way of life and livelihood. This is well documented in numerous studies, videos, in several discussions on the floor of the Goa Assembly and in several petitions before the High Court. Villagers are simply fighting tooth and nail to defend their agriculture and water sources. We wish to point out to you that mining is not just threat to the villages that are opposing it in their areas but also to the entire State of Goa as the water supply to the rest of Goa largely comes from hinterland Goa that is being recklessly mined for short term gains with disastrous long term consequences. The most flagrant human rights abuses are taking place at Colamb village in south Goa where the Fomentos – illegally mining the Hiralal Khodidas mine – are able to call upon the police on demand to harass and intimidate the protesting villagers. On December 04, 2008 at Quepem Police Station, PI Santosh Dessai called agitating villagers and gave them a 4 day's deadline to end their agitation. If they did not relent, he said he would unleash police terror on them by mobilizing police force from all over Goa and crush the agitation in the same way the Meta Strips agitation was crushed some years ago. The villagers were also warned that in case they persist in agitating, they will be given "Tadi Par" – a form of punishment that means literally exile – and forbidden from entering South Goa. Two Fomento managers also were present at the meeting when PI Santosh Dessai told the villagers to compromise with the mining company and accept "sustainable mining" in Colamb. Villagers who clearly heard this threat made by the PI include Rama Velip, Salvador Dias, Telu Dias, Xavier Fernandes, Purso Gaoncar, Arjun Velip, Chandrakant Gaonkar, Surya Gaonkar. All are willing to file affidavits in this connection, if required. No PI can threaten an entire village community with assault and your department is duty bound to take appropriate action against him. We demand his immediate removal from Quepem. We wish to reiterate here our firm conviction and belief that peaceful protest is a democratic right of citizens, guaranteed to them under the Constitution of India. Protest and agitation by entire communities to highlight severe grievances is a way of expressing the fact that serious harm is being caused to the village community, in this instance, by mining. The police have no business to interfere in this form of protest adopted by the people, to attempt to curb these agitations, or to intimidate peaceful protesters by illegally threatening them or having them arrested or detained. The police are duty bound to enforce law and order. Beyond this, they have no power to adjudicate disputes or to take sides and act at the behest of mining company managements. Neither have they been given any power to decide on the legality of mining operations. In these circumstances, we would expect the police force to report to the government that there are continuous and increasing social problems being caused by mining activities all over Goa, so that the government can take proactive measures on these issues instead of allowing the law and order situation to deteriorate further or instead of using the police force as a buffer to contain public resentment and anger against destructive mining. Today December 10, 2008 – International Human Rights Day – we, the undersigned, urge you to immediately stop providing police security to mining companies. The primary duty of the police is to protect the life and limb of citizens at large. Police salaries are paid from the public fund and we protest the force being used to shield private mining companies from the legitimate protests that the public wishes to express against their destructive activities. Sincerely, Wendell Rodricks and others Annexure 27 instances of recent Human Right violations in Goa's mining belt 1. December 04, 2008 Quepem Police Station, Quepem, Goa Colomba villagers warned of Tadi Par. Served 4 days deadline by PI Santosh Desai to end agitation against Fomento mining and accept sustainable mining. If villagers don’t listen then their agitation will be crushed with heavy police force. Entire Police force from Goa will be mobilized to unleash terror on Colamb villagers. Rama Velip, Salvador Dias, Telu Dias, Xavier Fernandes, Purso Gaoncar, Arjun Velip, Chandrakant Gaonkar and Surya Gaonkar witnessed PI Santosh Dessai telling them all this in presence of two Fomento mining company officials. 2. December 01, 2008 Colomba, Sanguem Police protection provided to Fomentos to transport Iron Ore at Hiralal Khodidas mine (T.C. No. 06/1949). Police protection continues till date for transportation of Ore. 3. November 29, 2008 Colomba, Sanguem Police Protection provided to Fomento Manager en route to Quepem Police Station to file complaint against villagers after they forced stopped the mining transportation. 4. November 27, 2008 Ambaulim, Quepem Police in riot gear clashed on streets when Ambaulim villagers blocked Iron Ore transport of Dinar Tarcar and Fomentos due to over loading and dust pollution. 5. Novemeber 22, 2008 Colomba, Sanguem Police team visited village with intention to arrest young Tedoz Antao based on the complaint filed against him by Fomento security personnel. 6. Novemeber 19, 2008 Quepem Police Station, Quepem, Goa Warning of Tadi Par – Exile by Police – informally sent to Egyps D’Souza by PI Santos Dessai. Egyps would be debarred from entering South Goa jurisdiction. 7. November 17, 2008 Quepem Police Station, Quepem, Goa 7 villagers from Colomba, Sanguem protesting against mining invasion of their village was arrested in fabricated criminal case filed by Fomento mining company supporter Surya Naik. PI Santos Dessai began arrests by taking Egyps D’Souza into Police custody while he was moving around in Tilamol market. 8 arrested were later released on bail. The villagers are Motesh Antao, Egyps D'Souza, Dument D'Souza, Shanto Velip, Rama Velip, Telu Dias and Xavier Fernandes. They were punished with day long forced stay at Quepem Police station on the next day - November 18, 2008 8. Novemeber 12, 2008 Colomba, Sanguem 86 protestor on Fomento mine T.C.No. 06/1946 were arrested and later released on bail. Fr. Mathias D’Cunha sdb from Sulcorna was abused and threatened by Fomento mining company by some unruly elements defending Fomentos. He has lodged police complaint. PI Santos Dessai was present on the site. At the police station placards of Colomba villagers were confiscated and torn apart. Police also destroyed people’s food while effecting arrests. Goa Armed Police Van and two jeeps full of Police personnel were put in action in defense of the Fomentos. One lady constable bearing badge number 6769 assaulted Colamb woman Dument D’Souza just before the arrests in the afternoon in presence of mamlatdar. Mining security staff along with the truck drivers assaulted three people while police were affecting arrest. 9. November 13, 2008 Colomba, Sanguem Police night patrolling in the village with three police Jeeps began. Police night patrolling continues till date. 10. October 11, 2008 Maina, Quepem Eight protestors were beaten up by goons of the mining industry in the presence of police personnel headed by PI Santos Dessai and protestors arrested and sent to jail. 85 year old Dora De Souza too was arrested while she with a group of protestors chained herself on the road carrying iron ore away from the mine. She along with other 3 women were sent to Aguada Jail. Zilla Parishad member Subhas Phaldessai led the attack on protestors at Dinar Tarcar Mine. PI Santos Dessai remained passive observer during this time. Priest Mathias D’Cunha sdb too was beaten up and taken into police custody. 11. October 15, 2008 Colomba, Sanguem Police protection to Fomento mine T.C. 06/1949 12. June 05, 2008 Colomba, Sanguem Heavy police security in police arrangement as villagers observed celebrated World Environment Day 13. June 04, 2008 Porvorim, Bardez Advalpal villagers stopped on their way to Panjim to celebrate World Environment Day and demonstration in front of Sesa Ghor. Their bus taken away to Panjim Police station. 14. May 21, 2008 Advalpal, Bicholim Sheetal Thanekar, Surekha Santosh Gaonkar and 17 year old Sandesh Vithal Gaonkar was beaten by Sesa Goa goons at around 3.00 pm. Police case registered. Police are yet to make any arrests so far. 15. May 20, 2008 Advalpal, Bicholim Police Protection provided to Fomento mine. 16. May 19, 2008 Advalpal, Bicholim Criminal cases registered against 70 villagers at the behest Fomento mining company. Fomento mining company had filed police cases against following 12 Advalpal villagers Shyamsunder Naik, Sharmila Naik, Kishore Naik, Kashinath Gad, Vijay Pundloskar, Ganesh Naik, Babi Gaonkar, Suresh Gad, Shrikant Gaonkar, Manguesh Gad, Amar Shetye and Pradip Gaonkar. The cases were registered under following sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC): 143, 144, 147, 148, 323, 427, 341, 506 and 149. Out of these 4 people were arrested namely, Shyamsunder Naik, Sharmila Naik, Kishore Naik and Kashinath Gad. Fomentos are operating Litho Ferro mining lease in Advalpal 17. May 21, 2008 Nuem, Khola, Canacona Dempo Mine: contractor Gangesh Molu Dessai, landed at the site with around 40 police personal from Cuncolim, Margao, Maina Curtorim, Colva, IRB who were headed by Cuncolim P.I. Sidhant Shirodkar and Colva P.I. Edwin Colaco. The Canacona Execuitive Magistrate Shri Valvoikar made his presence over there. The police started clearing the obstruction which was there on the way leading to the mine. the police were stationed at the site till 4.00 PM 18. April 22, 2008 Quepem Police Station, Quepem Fomento Manager Atul Makode Manager of Hiralal and Khodidas mine Colomba has on 22/4/2008 filed a false and distorted complaint before the Quepem police against 18 villagers of Colomba villagers.The complaint has been filed under section 143(punishment for forming an unlawful assembly) , 147( punishment for rioting) , 447(Punishment for criminal trespass) , 341 (Punishment for wrongful restraint) , 506(2) (punishment for criminal intimidation) , 425 (Mischief ) , 427( Mischief causing damage to the amount of Fifty rupees) , r/w. 149 of IPC.The 18 villagers against whom the complaint has been filed includes 1.Premdas Velip, 2.Alcina Dias, 3. Agnelo D’Souza, 4. Caetan Barreto, 5. Egypt D’Souza, 6. Tilu Dias, 7. Vincent Dias, 8. Palmira Dias, 9. Dumena D’Souza,10. Bhagrati Velip, 11. Shanta Velip, 12. Kalawati Velip, 13. Chandrakant Gaonkar, 14. Vithabai Velip, 15. Concy Antao, 16. Kalidas Naik, 17. Surya Gaonkar, 18.Gavnekar 19. April 12, 2008 Margao, Salcete South Goa Collector Gokuldas Naik threatens to deploy police force to protect Fomentos to transport Ore from Colomba. 20. March 25, 2008 Colomba, Sanguem 24 villagers including women arrested while blocking transportation of Iron Ore from Fomento Mine. Police beat up villagers and snatched earrings of one woman. 16 male constables and 6 lady constables engaged to arrest 16 Women and 5 men. Women were picked up by male constables – manhandled with some women complaining missing of their gold ornaments on their bodies during the scuffle with the police on the mining site. 21. March 11, 2008 Colomba, Sanguem Police protection to Fomento Mine. 22. February 11, 2008 Colomba, Sanguem Police Protection to Fomento Mine 23. February 09, 2008 Colomba, Sanguem 40 Police personnel deputed to protect Fomento mine in Colamb. 24. February 08, 2008 Colomba, Sanguem ASI P.V. Dessai attached to Quepem police station on one of the villagers – Agnelo Dias. The police jeep which was following the truck one of the police by name ASI P.V.Dessai got down from the jeep caught hold the colour of the youth shirt pulled him and then assaulted him with shoes one his private part and then pulled him into the police jeep. 25. January 23, 2008 Colomba, Sanguem Goa Police protection to Fomento mine. 26. January 21, 2008 Colomba, Sanguem PI Mhahmal of Quepem Police station over the phone threatened Rama Velip that if the villagers continue to march on the Fomento mines then he will arrest all the villagers. 27. November 20, 2007 Colomba, Sanguem A group of 8 Policemen came in plain clothes at 6 pm and began threatening the villagers. They were searching Agnelo D'Souza, one of the villagers in forefront of protest against mining threatening to gobble up Colamb village. He had protested overvhelmingly during Novemeber 18 2007 gram Sabha of the Rivona village panchayat and sought resulation seeking to ban further mining activity in Colamb. Sebastian Rodrigues _________________________________________________________________ Chose your Life Partner? Join MSN Matrimony FREE http://in.msn.com/matrimony
