Under Para 14 of Fomentos Petition against Sebastian Rodrigues; from where does the extracts taken from bolg: Look out for Yellow coloured texts in the midst of its contexts. The capital alphabets are sub paras in Fomento suit main para no. 14.
A, B & C.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Mining disasters are normal for Fomentos
Its hard to digest yet we are forced to; for Fomento mining company, mining disasters are normal and a part of its trade.
A statement from Lithoferro mining company that has mining lease of collapsed Advalpal mine has said in Herald today that 12 benches collapse of Advalpal mine operated by Fomentos is internal matter of the mining company. The actual operation of the mine is carried with grave threat to the safety, security and economy of the village of Advalpal in Bicholim Taluka. The management sitting at 5 star hotel Cidade de Goa can hardly understand even a fraction of a threat to the village.
This is not the first time that the Fomentos are involved in disaster as policy; in June 2000 its mine - the same one on when it held Environmentalist Rajendra Kerker and Journalist Prerna Bindra as hostage for two hours for clicking photographs of the ore and released after public pressure yesterday evening - collapsed sending dangerous mining silt into People's houses. With that disaster Pissurlem was flooded and mining debris - meter thick - deposited in houses including in kitchens and bedrooms of Pissurlem villagers. Yet no debris reached to Cideade de Goa, its swimming pools are yet to witness mining silt.
Then in Colamb this year itself on June 12, 2008 Fomentos methodically released mining silt in People's agriculture supervised by its site manager and security officers. Fomentos achieved this disastrous feat again on August 09, 2008 by releasing silt into People's agriculture.
With this track record is yet to become clearer as to whom Fomentos are aiming to bluff. Hardly anyone in Goa is now susceptible to swallow Fomentos august bluff. Never mind let's wish all the best to the corporate for its bluffs; for cat while drinking milk from the utensil closes her eyes with the belief that nobody watches her. Fomentos possibly believe the same: nobody watches and understands its mega bluffs.
We can never let any mining company to make disasters as normal practice of operations. if it does so then they have no right to operate the mine. It has to be shut down once for all.
Sebastian Rodrigues
D.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Rajendra Kerker, Prerna Bindra win back freedom from Fomentos
After suffering 2 hours ordeal of wrongful confinement at Pissurlem Fomento's supposedly clandestine mining operations Goa's noted Environmentalist Rajendra Kerker and Journalist from National Press - Tehelka - on Goa visit Prerna Bindra freed themselves last evening.
Both of them were on a Fomento mining visit yesterday when securities intercepted them while taking photographs at around 3.40 pm. It is not yet clear as to which nefarious aspect of its Pissurlem mine that Fomentos was preventing from Public glare: Is it the fact that it is operating this mine on government lands? Is it that it was re-started after a long period of shut down with the influence of MLA and Health Minister Vishwajit Rane? Or does it worried that ugly reality of Pissurlem mining for over half century would open new Pandora's box?
Whichever may be the concern, one thing is clear that Fomentos are scared of Cameras! As soon as Prerna Bindra and Rajendra Kerker started taking Pictures security charged at them. Immediately 1 of them came and then 10 and final number of security was 30! All to prevent two people from taking pictures of the lying Iron Ore.
Fometos response with its security was like it was trying to cover up murder secrets with investigations on freshly buried corpses! Oh yes, Fomentos perhaps has awaken to the fact that its mining practices in Pissurlem, Advalpal, Colamb and all other mines is actually equivalent of murder. Murder of water sources, murder of agriculture, murder of forest, Murder of people through inflicting lung diseases, many other variety of murders. It is happy occasion that Fomentos have finally woken up to its behaviour and actually want to actively cover up and hide from the press and public gaze through deployment of security!
We wish Fomentos all the very best in it's adventure to cover up and may nest time the number of security increase by at least, one more zero - it may increase from 30 to 300 per mine in Goa, for you have so much to hide!
Around 4.55 pm Action Alert was circulated on Goa Net asking people to call up Police station in Valpoi and cell contact of the Valpoi PI Vaigankar when Kerker and Bidra was still in custody of the Fomentos in Pissurlem. After public focus and frantic phone calls to police station, both of them including their driver was rescued at 5.40 pm when the Fomentos was forced to open their closed gates.
Then they were led by police to Valpoi Police station and they were there till 6.40 pm. There Company gave in written complaint of trespass against Kerker and Bindra, police accepted the complaint but yet to register the same. Prerna gave written complaint of indecent behaviour towards her by Fomentos staff. Valpoi Police Station was continuously being contacted by People all over Goa and even abroad. Police on the phone were repeatedly denying the charge of wrongful restraining Kerker and Bindra. Their denial is understandable considering the immense pressure they were under from Cidade de Goa as well from MLA Rane.
Surely, we do not know what Prerna Bindra is going to write in the paper that writes for, but your brave fight in Pissurlem is already an inspiration to us, for you along with Rajendra Kerkar have refused the pressure of 30 male security and management to hand over your cameras to their power and mights!
Struggle continues!!
Sebastian Rodrigues
E.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Advalpal anticipates mining disaster: Petitions authorities
Shyansunder P. Naik
Varcha wadda, Advalpal
Bicholim, Goa.
Date: 18/08/2008
To
The Mamlatdar
Office of the Mamlatdar
Bicholim-Goa.
Sub:- Dangers to our houses due to "FOMENTO MINES".
Sir,
This is to bring to your kind attention that one of the mines operating in Advalpal village lease owned by Lithoferro had blocked the natural nallah/drainage; as a result they are pumping out the rainwater from the pit and let it flow from other nallah which flows from backsides of our houses.
It is also to be noted that all the flashes of the mine have collapsed and therefore, a disaster is anticipated, which is likely to repeat the case of 2000 in which mining reject gushed down into our locality damaging houses at midnight.
Hence in the light of above, our protest against the mines operating at Advalpal has been proved right.
You are therefore requested to conduct a site inspection as early as possible to avoid serious casualties. A case under 133 Cr. Pc. is also pending before Dy. Collector's Court.
Thanking you,
Yours truly,
Sd/
(Shamsunder P. Naik)
C.c to
The Chief Minister,
The Chief Secretary,
The Dy.Collector, Bicholim,
The Department of Mines and Geology,
The regional controller office IBM, Fatorda, Margao,
The Director-General of Mine and Safety, Margao,
The M.L.A Bicholim
F.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Colamb protestors to spend a day at Quepem Police station today
Seven Colamb protestors who were released on bail last night are to spend day at Quepem Police station today. This was the condition on which they were granted bail last night. The seven villagers includes Motesh Antao, Egyps D'Souza, Dument D'Souza, Shanto Velip, Rama Velip, Telu Dias and Xavier Fernandes. They will have to be at the Police station from 9.30 am to 12.00 noon and from 2.30 pm to 5.00 pm
It is interesting to note that in spite of police complaint against Fomento mining company for destryoing their agiculture neither official nor managing director of Fometos have ever been arrested. This is clear indication as to on whose side State machinery in Goa is operating at present. State machinery inluding the police has become the extended arm of the mining companies in Goa.
Sebastian Rodrigues
G.
Three Goa Police Jeeps petrolled Colamb last night
Three Goa Police Jeeps patrolled Colamb on November 13 2008 night in order to provide security cover to the Fomento mining company that has transformed itself from unwanted guest to unwanted intruder. Fomentos are operating the mine in Colamb, Sanguem with the agreement of 95% sharing of profits to itself and 5% to Hiralal Khodidas who were granted mining lease by erstwhile Portuguese Colonial regime in 1949.
Police Petrolling began in the evening at 6.30 pm on 13th November 2008 and ended early morning 5.00 am on 14th November 2008.
Colamb village people has used various democratic and constitutional methods such as petitioning to the authorities but all the authorities have failed to protect Colamb villagers and Fomentos continue to enjoy a field day with State protection to destroy Goa's ecology and livelihood of its people. Fomentos like all other mining companies are making sure that hope of possible future for Goa's children are crushed under the minin dozers forever. This is all that they have to offer to Goa's children and its grandchildren on children's day today. We have an option either to accept it as gift from mining companies or reject it with our stong words and bold actions.
Sebastian Rodrigues
Posted by MAND at 11/14/2008 10:35:00 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: Colamb, Mining, police
H.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Two Jeep load of Goa Police in Colamb for night!
According to information received received at 6.55 pm today two jeeps belonging to Goa Police has entered Colamb village with intention to arrest villagers protesting Fomentos mining company. Villagers are up in arm against Fomentos are demanding that the company would up its business in the village.
Yesterday when the protests against the mining company was going on Police came and harassed villagers and other people from various parts of Goa. Some security staff of the mining company beat up three protesters. Police team took possession of the banners and placards tore it apart. All this, villagers allege was done at the instance of Fomento mining company that is known to use Police for the private purpose of profit maximisation.
Sebastian Rodrigues
Posted by MAND at 11/13/2008 07:38:00 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: Colamb, Mining, police
I. & J.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Goa Government as Joker in the circus of mining companies
Goa Federation of Mines Affected People (GOAMAP) strongly condemns Goa Police connivance with Fomento mining Company. This connivance was once again exposed - after Maina episode of beating up villagers in presence of Police by mining goondas, on October 11 2008 - with Police Arrest of Colamb villagers along with number of other People on Solidarity trip to Colamb yesterday 12th November 2008. Around 86 people were arrested for allegedly trespassing into the mining lease 06/1949 belonging to Hiralal Khodidas when they forced the mining company to stop work.
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.
Villagers are demanding that this mining lease be closed down due to negative effect on their water bodies, forest and agriculture - being the mainstay of village economy. The agitation to close down mining in the village has been on for the past one and half year. If logic of trespass into mining lease is accepted then entering 85% of Colamb becomes a criminal offence as it is covered with 23 mining leases. And entering into 1/4th Goa's geographical area that is covered with over 1300 mining leases becomes criminal activity. Every movement of people in these localities including dwelling and agriculture is criminal tress. This is simply ridiculous!
It is truly shameful that government of Goa have chosen to align government machinery to be abused for private purpose thereby reducing Goa Government as mere joker in a circus of mining companies.GOAMAP demands immediate cancellation to Hiralal Khodidas mining leases number 06/1949 that does not belong to Fomentos.
GOAMAP also urges Goa Police not to dance to the tune of mining companies such as Fomentos and go about harassing people that are contributing to their salaries as public servants.
Sd/-
Sebastian Rodrigues
(Convenor)
Posted by MAND at 11/13/2008 06:34:00 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: Colamb, GOAMAP, Mining
K.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Goa battles mining industry: Fomentos challenged in Colamb
Goa today is battling mining industry. People from all over Goa have gathered in Colamb village of Sanguem Taluka in solidarity with the local villagers. According to the reports received at 12.50 pm Fomentos are forced to close down the mining activities today morning.Goa Police team headed by Quepem PI Santosh Desai has reached mining site with six police personnel. In peaceful Colamb village Fomentos have lost their sleep as the company was patrolling the site the whole night and the senior official of mining company - that owns Cidade de Goa five star hotel patronized by Government of Goa - is camping the mine from 7 am in the morning.
Fomentos are avid Portuguese loyalist as they were awarded mining leases by erstwhile Portuguese colonial regime and continue to be loyal till date. In fact its boss and Managing Director - Audooth Timblo - is listed to be present for Portuguese Government's function today and tomorrow evening.Colamb villagers have submitted up teem number of memorandums to various authorities to shut down this mine but authorities have behaved deaf.
Sebastian Rodrigues
Posted by MAND at 11/12/2008 12:55:00 PM 0 comments Links to this post
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