Friends,

As per reports received at 12: 15pm, though still in custody, Dora has been moved to Goa Medical Center (GMC) on health grounds. She has Lisa Noronha (from the police) on her side.

Father Mathais has been admitted to hospital for low BP. This was the latest on this front.

No newspaper seems to have carried anything on the ten arrests today...which is a very sad development. Maximum people should express support when issues are larger than people...

......IN SOLIDARITY FROM ANDHRA PRADESH

Dear Sir,

The natural beauty of Goa is dear to many across the world. Climate change and its effects on agriculture and ecology are already a great cause of concern to all. It is estimated that the biological diversity might be reduced in some of the world's most fragile environments, such as mangroves and tropical forests and hence reforestation and increase in soil carbon storage are suggested.

It is hence shocking to hear that clearances have been given by your high offices for the mining activities in Maina, Cowrem and Rivona and this even though in the public hearing majority of the people had said 'no to mining'. This makes the clearance an act against the will of the people, hence undemocratic and anti people. Mining activities in the area will create a devastating impact on the ecology and livelihoods of the farmers. People in the area have been resisting against forcible evictions, release of toxic wastes into local waters and springs, release of waste water into agricultural fields which created huge losses for farmers in the past and initiating mining activities in rich buffer zones of sanctuary areas.

On behalf of all the 400 organic farmers of our organization in Medak District of Andhra Pradesh, as president of the organization and as an individual concerned about the ecology of our nation, I demand immediate halt of mining activities in the area, withdrawal of charges against the innocent activists and initiation of police action against the goons who physically assaulted them.

I also demand the immediate release of the 10 activists of Mand Adivasi Resource Centre from Quepem Police Station.

Hoping that your ecological sensitivities and responsibilities will make you undo the act of clearance of the mining activities in Goa as well as motivate you to work in solidarity with the ecologically conscious activists of Mand Adivasi Resource Centre!

In ecological solidarity,

(Ms. Asha Kachru)

Eyewitness account: Input from John Fernandes about yesterday's anti-mining protests and subsequent arrests

Quepem remain tense today over the issued of the arrest of 8 environmentalists by the Quepem police over the alleged incident of forming unlawful assembly at Cavrem on Saturday. Quepem police today arrested Sherel D'Souza, her 80 years old mother Dora D'Souza, Rita Fernandes, Robert Pinto all from Maina Cavrem, Seby Rodrigues from Siolim, Kurush Canteenwala from Pune, and father Mathew D'Cunha of Don Bosco Quepem over the charges of forming unlawful assembly, trespass and criminal intimidation.

That morning Sherel D'Souza, her mother, her 8 years-old daughter and their servant sat on a protest at Cavrem by tying their age old mother Dora D'Souza with a chain on the kacha road leading to Tarkar mine and which started at around 9.30AM. At about 10.00 AM, around 30 villagers from Colomb appeared at the spot in a bus mostly comprising ladies and joined the peaceful protest by Sherel and her family.

Environmentalists Seby Rodrigues, Father Mathias and Sherel's friend Kurush Canteenwala from Pune, who had come to Goa to make a film also came at the spot but remained on the main road leading to Pirla.

The Mine officials appeared at the spot and asked about the problem to which Sherel stated that they are protesting the destruction forest land. In the meantime, hundreds of truck drivers, who were at the mine also appeared at the spot. Speaking to reporter P.I. Santosh Dessai, he stated that the protesters were requested by him to move out from the place but they did not. Sherel D'Souza stated in her complaint filed before the Quepem police that around 3.00 Quepem police appeared at the spot . That in the presence of Quepem police they have been attacked by the mine drivers who were instigated by the contractor and the local representatives.

The Photographers namely Seby Rodrigues and Kurush Canteenwala who were present and taking snaps were attacked by the drivers. Seby Rodrigues in his complaint has stated that he has been attacked by the Z.P. Member Subhash Dessai. He also stated that the truck driver snatched his camera and bag which was carrying and damaged the Camera and the bag. Police arrested all the protester including the minor daughter of Sherel- Akki D'Souza- put them in the police jeep and brought them at the police station and booked them under different offences.

Meantime all the truck drivers and contractors appeared at the police station and the police also attached the two vehicles of Sherel D'souza. The truck driver , contractor who were present at the police made a hue that in both the vehicles of Sherel there are weapons and other dangerous substance. The police then checked the both the vehicles. That from one vehicle recovered one knife and from the diky 2 small iron roads and a broken coita while from the other vehicle police recovered a knife.

Speaking to reporters Sherel stated that the knife that was found was for her safety as she moves alone in the night and she has to pass through a hilly area to go to her house.

Meanwhile villagers from Colomb, Banaulim, Fr. Mevrick and his team, Don Bosco Officials made their presence at the police station to show their solidarity. Those arrested refuse to move any bail application. GAKUVED President Durgadas Gaonkar who had come to the police station condemned the way the police handle the situation and for arresting the innocent people.

Meanwhile police from Curchorem, Margao, and GRPF was stationed at the police station. Deputy Collector Vanancio Furtado , Dy. SP Rohidas Patre made their presence at the police station.

Anti-mining protestors arrested due to 'unlawful assembly'

While anti-mining protestors got arrested for 'unlawful assembly' yesterday, there is a meeting in Colamb today to share information and to express solidarity with them.

At about 10 am today, a team of concerned citizens will go and register cases against mafia goons, who instigated violence and attacked peaceful protestors, who had only chained themselves to trucks in an attempt to stop mining outside their homes!!! Initially, police refused to register cases against them but due to mounting pressure since yesterday, they have relented to this demand.

Tomorrow, another delegation will make a representation to the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary, DGP and Director of Mines with their concerns and demands vis-a-vis this issue.

Posted by SADED (website link)

Update of events last night

Friends,

As an update of events beginnning from a peaceful public hearing at Colamb that gave a majority consensus against mining to the ugly turn of events when ten protestors were arrested yesterday from Maina, reports that poured in during wee hours of today morning suggest that the struggle is only going to intensify ...

Battlelines have been drawn between locals Goans, who are the ordinary farmers and small-time businessmen, struggling peacefully to save their land, fields, livestock and water resources from the burgeonining onslaught of mining authorities, mafia, real estate developers, corrupt police officials and politicians.

Of one of those arrested- Sebastian- has been kept at Margao judicial lock-up (12: 40 am), while Cheryl and the other three ladies (Sashikala, Akki and Dora) have been taken to Aguada judicial police station (3: 05am). Despite her old age (85 years), heart and arthritis condition, no special provisions have been given to Dora, despite repeated requests. This reveals the height of insensitivity and lack of genuine concern for the citizens of Goa...

We demand the police to withdraw all charges and release those fighting for social justice!!!

Support those fighting to save the environment!!!

The environment belongs to all of us!!!! All of us have a responsibility to protect it!!!! Why arrest just a handful for it?!!!!

Posted by SADED (website link)

Seby banned from taking phone calls

Dear friends,

As per reports received a few minutes ago, Sebastian Rodrigues is being taken to Margao in a police jeep. He has been barred from taking phone calls.

It is sad to see continued violation of basic human rights of all peaceful protestors...

Posted by SADED (website link)

Mining Terrorism Down! Down!

Dear Friends,

As per the reports received at 9:30 pm, Father Mathias D'Cunha is feeling unwell and is admitted to government hospital at Curchorem, while Sebastian Rodrigues has been taken for medical examination under police protection.

Bail has been denied to those arrested in this case.

So, reiterating the demands once more:

We demand all end to mining in Goa, legal or illegal, since both equally kill the environment, pollute drinking water, ruin agriculture and disturb the symbiotic relationship of man with nature. Man has no moral right to destroy natural resources he cannot revive as easily or quickly. There has to be some control on his speed of devouring environment, and only for making a quick buck at any cost.

We demand the state to take a pro-protestors' stand. We demand the police to be sensitive to its law-abiding citizens.

We demand the police to wake up and protect its people from injustice by mining authorities. After all, you too are humans who will have to consume the same polluted air, food, fruits and water once mines encroach your neighbourhood...Today it is these villages, tomorrow miners may reach your neighbourhood!!!! Is that when you will respond? This issue of saving environment is not of just a few. This issue is as serious for all who live on earth and depend on natural resources for survival. Be it police, politicians, mafia goons or anyone!!!

We demand the police to arrest the perpetrators of violence, who beat up the peaceful protestors black and blue.

We demand the police to withdraw all charges against the ten innocent people arrested, who were non-violently opposing mining in front of their homes or were present there in solidarity.

MINING TERRORISM DOWN DOWN!!!!

Posted by SADED (website link)

DEMANDING IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF TEN ANTI-MINING ACTIVISTS

Cheryl, Akki and Dora, who have been resisting mining at Maina, are the youngest and oldest anti-mining activists in the group. There are 200 mining trucks parked in their neighbourhood, with labour hired to dig ore even at night!!!







Environmentalist Sebastain Rodrigues, Father Mathais and other villagers seen sharing their environmental concerns at the Colamb anti-mining Public Meeting few days ago.



People from many villages came to the public meeting to share their concerns due to increasing mining in their respective areas.

Local activists protesting against mining activities in Maina have been arrested at Quepem Police Station today (11/10/08) at 3:00 p.m.

We demand their immediate release.

We appeal to all citizens of Goa to show solidarity to the struggling people, who are resisting mining-terrorism in the area.

PLEASE CALL QUEPEN POLICE STATION AT 0832662253 AND DEMAND THEIR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.

Among those arrested were Cheryl D'Souza San Francisco, Akki D' Souza, her eight year-old daughter, her mother Dora D'Souza, who is 85 years-old and other activists including Sebastian Rodrigues, and Kurush Tandonwala.

With no response from the Chief Minister's office and continued threats by the local mafia-mining company goons, Cheryl and her family decided to protest today by chaining themselves to the trucks and refusing to be compensated by local mining authorities for her farmlands. Cheryl, along with others from mining-affected villages in Goa, Cowrem, Rivona and Maina resisted 200 trucks from transporting ore outside the area.

The incident turned ugly when local mafia beat up the activists of Mand Adivasi Resource Centre, GAKUVED, Cheryl and her family, their cameras have been destroyed.

We appeal to the activists of the mass movement to write to the CM and the Governor for immediate release of the following:

Cheryl D'Souza
Rita Fernandes
Akki D'Souza
Kurush Canteenwala

Shashikala Devidas
Dora D' Souza
Sebastian Rodrigues

We demand that mining activities be immediately stopped at Maina, which are being conducted in the buffer zone of the sanctuary.

We demand that Environmental Clearance for mining at Maina be withdrawn, since these activities severely affect the ecological balance in that area.

Mining activities are illegal and should end since they also violate the Forest Conservation Act.

For photographs of Public Meeting, click here

Posted by Vijay Pratap, Shaweta and Sayantoni from South Asian Dialogues on Ecological Democracy-CSDS (website link), Delhi

Tarcar mining terrorism in Maina, Quepem

Visit Maina to witness mining terrorism operates, the most brutal butchery of forests and mountains of Goa en route to China has began. This time it is Tarcar mining...yes it is operated by the same Congress Party Youth Congress leader Dinar Tarcar that contested Panjim Constituency last assembly elections.

Around 200 trucks has began mining operations since past two days with caring hoots to the State governmet and all its authorities. Mountains are began to be rushed into the the trucks to be taken to China.
Congress Chief Minister Digambar Kamat pleaded helplessness at this situation today when Chery D'Souza called on him to request him to take action. Understandable considering that one of the important persons of his own party organisation is involved in this ecologically terrorising activity.

Four women including Cheryl D'Souza, her daughter, her aged mother - nearing century - are battling the mining industry. They deserve all the support from the brave people from All over.

Their family has received numerous threats from the goons of the mining company but they refused to budge. They have not even filed police complaint considering that Goa Police has become mere pawns in the hands of the mining industry.

"I will rather die fighting than go and file police complaint. I have no faith in Police" informed Cheryl.

Perhaps now it is upto the citizens to take control of the situation and decide the future course of action.

For more photos of her and the place she lives in, now in threat, click here.

Sebastian Rodrigues

Fomentos go back!

Agitation in Colamb now has taken a leaf from Indian Freedom Struggle and gave slogan this night "Fomentos go back!". The decision was taken in the light of attempt by Goa Police attached to Quepem Police station to arrest Colamb villagers on cases filed by mining companies.

According to reports reaching at 7.00 pm Colamb villagers are demanding withrawl of all the cases against them and has resolved not to move away from the Police station, Quepem till Police cases are withdrawn.

It may be recalled that on August 10 in a meeting held in Margao Goa Federation of Mines Affected People (GOAMAP) had passed resolution asking Fomentos to voluntarily abandon its mine in Colamb due to threats to the agriculture and depletion of water table. It is this reason that has compelled patient Colamb villagers to raise the slogan on the lines of Indian Freedom Struggle. anyway all the mining leases in Goa are colonial lgacy and that has to be done away with one day or the other.

It is indeed great news to know about the the slogan "Fomentos go back!"

Sebastian Rodrigues