Police harassment has increased in Colamb, Sanguem after the November 12 action of the villagers. Today at around 1.10 pm one protester Egyps D'Souza is taken into custody and detained at the Quepem Police Station.
The villagers of Colamb are protesting to oppose Fomento mine - Lease number 06/1949 belonging to Hiralal Khodidas in the village that is disturbing their agriculture, Forest and Water bodies. Egyps has been in the forefront of this movement and that's the reason Police has began targeting him at the instance of the mining company.
Call up Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat to lodge your protest at his cell number: 09822129339. You may also call him up his official residence landlines: 0832-2224170, 0832-2224995. You can also call him at his office numbers: 0832-2419841, 0832-2411049. Fax access too is available at 0832-2419846, 0832-2223648.
Sebastian Rodrigues
Monday, November 17, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
The Body as a site of resistance: activism in an era of neoliberalism
By H.Bedi
Underlying much Indian organizing around industrialization and development issues are concerns about the changing political and economic regimes promoted locally, nationally, and globally. The rise of neoliberal forces has created a different context for organizing and activism in India. With the encouragement of capitalism in particular, many communities and broader struggles question who is gaining from market liberalization. Protest against economic liberalization has been partially shaped through actions where the body of affected communities and other concerned citizens have been used as sites of resistance. The body as a site of resistance has proved to be a particularly poignant and charged form of protest, particularly when examined from a gendered perspective. Activists have used their bodies in a range of ways to represent their opposition. They have physically blocked industrial construction, undergone hunger strikes, walked hundreds of kilometres in padyatra, sat in dharna, and placed their emotional and physical bodies at risk in a myriad of other forms.
This piece will look at a specific form of bodily protest in relation to a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Orissa. Seen as a part of the economic liberalization of India, SEZs are spaces owned and managed by private entities within a sovereign nation that abide by a special set of trade and economic laws, provide sophisticated infrastructure and tax incentives, and are designed to promote economic growth (Seminar 2008). In the protest against these zones, the body becomes a source of power, but what are the ramifications for those involved, particularly women? What are the gendered connotations when women occupy a site and are met by a private security force that is entirely or predominantly male? There is a particular vulnerability for some women using their body as a site of resistance. This has been painfully evident when women protesting SEZs in Nandigram endured brutal sexual violence.
This thought piece is based on reflections from on-going fieldwork and secondary resources. Through a review of media information, and qualitative interviews with activists and communities affected by industrialization, certain patterns of protest and themes of injustice have emerged. Respondents describe that they feel as though the threat of displacement and disenfranchisement, particularly among agrarian communities, is occurring on a new scale as industrialization is promoted. Some also describe heightened aggression and violence against communities and other protestors when they physically stop or block industrial activities. Despite this perceived threat, communities, including women, actively use their bodies as a medium to display their discontent with exclusionary industrialization. In doing so, women actively engage in the struggle and at times this intimate form of protest renders them vulnerable and may further existing marginalization related to class and gender. Recent protest related to the promotion of Special Economic Zones reveal how and why women chose to protest with their bodies, desperation associated with the struggles, and the particular ramifications they face as a result of their decisions.
As quoted in Business standard, an affected villager, Sulachana Dei, explains, "we are ready to give our land but not leave one inch of land for Posco steel project" (Business Standard 2008). The South Korean Pohang Steel Company (POSCO)’s plans to establish a steel plant, mines, and a port in Orissa state have led to much civil unrest, violence, and political maneuvering. POSCO applied for SEZ status, and while the status was delayed, moved forward with alternate environmental clearances. Posco’s survey teams attempted to enter Dhinika village in February 2008. Their movement was halted by hundreds of women, children, and other villagers who created fences around the circumference of the village. This collective monitored the fence using bows and arrows, lathis and other weapons to ensure that the teams could not enter the site. Women stood shoulder to shoulder with men and children armed only with bows and arrows to defend themselves against the power of the company and the state.
The head of a local organizing movement states, "village women have taken oath near village Goddess not to give one inch of land to the said project." The villagers prefer not to face the uncertainty of displacement, and have actively used their bodies as a virtual shield from the land encroachment. Occupation of any industrial site is potentially dangerous for anyone, but entry into a special economic zone can be particularly perilous because these zones do not have local or national police guards. Instead they operate under a distinct set of laws, and are governed by private security forces employed by corporations. Although police accountability in India can be questionable in many instances, SEZ private security firms have even less accountability to protect the welfare of local community members- particularly women who may not usually be so visible in an industrial site.
For the women protestors, there is also a level of social exposure and uncertainty associated with this form of resistance. How will male security forces respond to their body shield? How will their community view them after they have spent time in physical protest? Despite their sacrifice, in August 2008 the Indian Supreme Court ruled to allow Posco to use large amounts of forest land, possibly displacing 20,000 people. In September, affected community members continued to protest, carrying bows, arrows and sticks, against the plant.
In Orissa, affected villagers directly used their bodies as sites of resistance to demonstrate their rejection of this form of industrialization. Streaming through this example is personal and collective conviction, threats of violence, a strong connection to land, and a willingness to place the individual body in harms way to protect their land and dignity. Through these actions, some women occupy new spaces that are usually predominantly masculine areas of work. The presence of women in what may be considered masculine spaces is quite remarkable in the local cultural context. In this way, they go from being invisible or not present in these industrial spaces to visible protestors, and in certain instances at risk of social or physical scrutiny. They were susceptible to violence, and the potential post-protest social ramifications.
This example is illustrative of the extent that communities feel pushed by economic liberalization and industrialization that is not aligned with their connection to agriculture and land. The strain of this threat has pushed many women to protest in this manner, exposing them to physical risk and possible social repercussions. Some of these women have never protested in their life, and to lay their emotional and physical bodies on the line to protect their families and land is an extreme display of their personal convictions. As this is research in progress many questions remain unanswered, and there continues to be much to learn and understand about women and how they use their bodies as sites of resistance to SEZs.
Underlying much Indian organizing around industrialization and development issues are concerns about the changing political and economic regimes promoted locally, nationally, and globally. The rise of neoliberal forces has created a different context for organizing and activism in India. With the encouragement of capitalism in particular, many communities and broader struggles question who is gaining from market liberalization. Protest against economic liberalization has been partially shaped through actions where the body of affected communities and other concerned citizens have been used as sites of resistance. The body as a site of resistance has proved to be a particularly poignant and charged form of protest, particularly when examined from a gendered perspective. Activists have used their bodies in a range of ways to represent their opposition. They have physically blocked industrial construction, undergone hunger strikes, walked hundreds of kilometres in padyatra, sat in dharna, and placed their emotional and physical bodies at risk in a myriad of other forms.
This piece will look at a specific form of bodily protest in relation to a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Orissa. Seen as a part of the economic liberalization of India, SEZs are spaces owned and managed by private entities within a sovereign nation that abide by a special set of trade and economic laws, provide sophisticated infrastructure and tax incentives, and are designed to promote economic growth (Seminar 2008). In the protest against these zones, the body becomes a source of power, but what are the ramifications for those involved, particularly women? What are the gendered connotations when women occupy a site and are met by a private security force that is entirely or predominantly male? There is a particular vulnerability for some women using their body as a site of resistance. This has been painfully evident when women protesting SEZs in Nandigram endured brutal sexual violence.
This thought piece is based on reflections from on-going fieldwork and secondary resources. Through a review of media information, and qualitative interviews with activists and communities affected by industrialization, certain patterns of protest and themes of injustice have emerged. Respondents describe that they feel as though the threat of displacement and disenfranchisement, particularly among agrarian communities, is occurring on a new scale as industrialization is promoted. Some also describe heightened aggression and violence against communities and other protestors when they physically stop or block industrial activities. Despite this perceived threat, communities, including women, actively use their bodies as a medium to display their discontent with exclusionary industrialization. In doing so, women actively engage in the struggle and at times this intimate form of protest renders them vulnerable and may further existing marginalization related to class and gender. Recent protest related to the promotion of Special Economic Zones reveal how and why women chose to protest with their bodies, desperation associated with the struggles, and the particular ramifications they face as a result of their decisions.
As quoted in Business standard, an affected villager, Sulachana Dei, explains, "we are ready to give our land but not leave one inch of land for Posco steel project" (Business Standard 2008). The South Korean Pohang Steel Company (POSCO)’s plans to establish a steel plant, mines, and a port in Orissa state have led to much civil unrest, violence, and political maneuvering. POSCO applied for SEZ status, and while the status was delayed, moved forward with alternate environmental clearances. Posco’s survey teams attempted to enter Dhinika village in February 2008. Their movement was halted by hundreds of women, children, and other villagers who created fences around the circumference of the village. This collective monitored the fence using bows and arrows, lathis and other weapons to ensure that the teams could not enter the site. Women stood shoulder to shoulder with men and children armed only with bows and arrows to defend themselves against the power of the company and the state.
The head of a local organizing movement states, "village women have taken oath near village Goddess not to give one inch of land to the said project." The villagers prefer not to face the uncertainty of displacement, and have actively used their bodies as a virtual shield from the land encroachment. Occupation of any industrial site is potentially dangerous for anyone, but entry into a special economic zone can be particularly perilous because these zones do not have local or national police guards. Instead they operate under a distinct set of laws, and are governed by private security forces employed by corporations. Although police accountability in India can be questionable in many instances, SEZ private security firms have even less accountability to protect the welfare of local community members- particularly women who may not usually be so visible in an industrial site.
For the women protestors, there is also a level of social exposure and uncertainty associated with this form of resistance. How will male security forces respond to their body shield? How will their community view them after they have spent time in physical protest? Despite their sacrifice, in August 2008 the Indian Supreme Court ruled to allow Posco to use large amounts of forest land, possibly displacing 20,000 people. In September, affected community members continued to protest, carrying bows, arrows and sticks, against the plant.
In Orissa, affected villagers directly used their bodies as sites of resistance to demonstrate their rejection of this form of industrialization. Streaming through this example is personal and collective conviction, threats of violence, a strong connection to land, and a willingness to place the individual body in harms way to protect their land and dignity. Through these actions, some women occupy new spaces that are usually predominantly masculine areas of work. The presence of women in what may be considered masculine spaces is quite remarkable in the local cultural context. In this way, they go from being invisible or not present in these industrial spaces to visible protestors, and in certain instances at risk of social or physical scrutiny. They were susceptible to violence, and the potential post-protest social ramifications.
This example is illustrative of the extent that communities feel pushed by economic liberalization and industrialization that is not aligned with their connection to agriculture and land. The strain of this threat has pushed many women to protest in this manner, exposing them to physical risk and possible social repercussions. Some of these women have never protested in their life, and to lay their emotional and physical bodies on the line to protect their families and land is an extreme display of their personal convictions. As this is research in progress many questions remain unanswered, and there continues to be much to learn and understand about women and how they use their bodies as sites of resistance to SEZs.
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
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
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Text and Pictures from Colamb protest of October 12 2008
Quepem police with a strong police force on wednesday 12/11/2008 arrested around 83 villagers including a Don Bosco priest for forming unlawful Assembly and for trespassing into a mine. Tension run high in Colomba on Wednesday when villagers of Colomba, Advalpal, Nuvem, members of Social Justice, GAKVED stopped the mining activity at Gulcan Dongor Iron ore mine of Shri Hiralal Khodidas presently operated by Sociadade Fomento for causing destruction to their paddy field, Kulagers, water, forest and the Kushawati river.
That today morning at around 10.30 am around 200 villagers including Don Bosco priest gathered on the road leading to the mine with banners placard in their hand shouting slogan marched to the mine.
When all the villagers reached at the gate of the mine they were stopped by the mine security that was stationed at the mine. The villagers directed the security to open the gate they then marched near the mining office. They called the mining officials and requested them to stop all the mining activities. Immediately the officials stoped all the mining activity and all the officials including the truck drivers, the machine operators gathered near the office. They then had a marathon discussion with the officials and brought to their notice the nuisance and the destruction caused by the operation of mining activity . They brought to the notice of the officials the different complaint filed by them before different authorities for causing destruction to their paddy field, water, forest and kushawati river. They also requested them to permanently close down the mine. The agitated villagers then marched to the mine and after inspecting the same returned to the mine office.At around 12.00 noon Quepem P.I. Santosh Dessai along with his team arrived at the spot. When the police arrived at the spot the manager of the company directed the operators to go to the mine and start the operation. On which the agitated villagers seat on the road and stopped their vehicle.
At around 1.00 PM Quepem Executive Magistrate reached at the spot to take stock of the situation . The magistrate requested the agitating villagers to disperse but the villagers did not pay any hid.
At around 2.30 Dy.Sp. Rohidas Patre along with additional police force from Quepem, Sanguem, Curchorem and Armed police force arrived at the spot and forcibly taken into custody of around 80 villagers including Don Bosco Sulcorna Priest Fr. Mathew D’cunha and around 40 ladies. They were brought to the Quepem police station in police vehicles and arrested for forming unlawful assembly and for trespassing. .
It is learnt the while returning through the forest area two tyres of Dy. S.P. Rohidas Patre jeep got puncture due to the obstacles raised by the villagers.
When Dy.S.P. Rohidas Patre was contacted informed herald that the police has arrested 73 people out of which 34 ladies and 39 gents.
To avoid any untowards incident Quepem Sub-Divisional Magistrate Venancio Furtado, Quepem Executive Magistrate Sudin Nato , Sanguem Magistrate Amol Gaonkar, South Goa S.P. Allan D’Sa, Quepem Dy-SP. Rohidas Patre, Umesh Gaonkar, Curchorem P.I. Nilesh Rane and strong police force was stationed at the police station.
Speaking to Reporters Dr. Audoot Prabhu Dessai stated that we are fighting for our right. "The mining company is denying us our right to live by destroying our water, paddy field, Kulagers, rivers. We will not give up our fight till we die. "
Sherel D'Souza who is one of the lady arrested stated "even if the police put me under bar for days together I will give my fight against the mining. I will fight till I die. "
John Fernandes
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
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
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)
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)
Condemning arrest of 100 protesters
Dear All,
We from South Asian Dialogues on Ecological Democracy (SADED, Delhi) express solidarity with anti-mining protesters of Goa, 100 of whom have been arrested in Colamb Village of South Goa yesterday. What may be termed as yet another blatant violation of human rights by corrupt state-mining-mafia nexus, this long drawn battle of villagers to protect their land and livelihood, got disrupted, yet again. On an earlier occasion, ten people had been arrested last month for protesting against mining at Maina Village. This time the number of arrests made has increased to hundred...
We condemn the arrest of 100 protesters at Colamb and demand their release
We demand an end to all mining activities in Goa that threaten lives and livelihoods of villagers
We appeal to you to circulate this information as widely as possible
You can also register your protest by sending a fax to Goa's Chief Minister at 0832-2419846, 0832-2223648.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Protest Colamb Arrest to Chief Minnister of Goa
Please fax your protest about Colamb arrests to Chief Minister of Goa who is also Mines minister presiding over Goa's destrution forever.
Fax no: 0832-2419846,
0832-2223648
Fax no: 0832-2419846,
0832-2223648
Police anger on food, banner in Colamb
According to the sources Police expressed their anger on banners and food of the protesters. Police after violently lifting squatted protesters raced the vehicles to the police station at Quepem. Food that was cooked was left at the venue even as the hungry protesters wanted to take the food before they could get into the police vehicle.
PI Santosh Dessai directed police constables to tear apart the protest banners of those protesting Fomento mines.
Even as Police when speeded to Quepem Police station 2 women fainted in the Police van. Totally 85 people are arrested out of which 38 are women. Arrests were ordered by Quepem Mamlatdar Mathur Natu.
These arrests once again demonstrates that State of Goa and its administrative and Police machinery is dominated by mining industry.
Arrests took place at around 3.20 pm today 12th November 2008 - another historic day in the life of Goa and its people that refuse to accept death of its water sources at the hands of mining industry.
Sebastian Rodrigues
PI Santosh Dessai directed police constables to tear apart the protest banners of those protesting Fomento mines.
Even as Police when speeded to Quepem Police station 2 women fainted in the Police van. Totally 85 people are arrested out of which 38 are women. Arrests were ordered by Quepem Mamlatdar Mathur Natu.
These arrests once again demonstrates that State of Goa and its administrative and Police machinery is dominated by mining industry.
Arrests took place at around 3.20 pm today 12th November 2008 - another historic day in the life of Goa and its people that refuse to accept death of its water sources at the hands of mining industry.
Sebastian Rodrigues
Around 100 protestors arrested in Colamb
According to the just received information Quepem Police has taken around 100 people in Police custody from the site of the protest against Fomento mine in Colamb, Sanguem. One person was beaten by Fomento security at the protest site in presence of Police presence.
People from different parts of Goa had assembled in Colamb to protest against the mining activities of the Fometos. Durgadas Gaonkar, Gajanad Raikar, Rama Velip, Shyamsunder Naik are some of the people amongst those arrested. There are around 25 women in amongst the arrested people. More details are awaited.
Sebastian Rodrigues
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