MAJOR VICTORY FOR KISAN SABHA IN GOA Bicholim, Goa : 16-12-2015
The Mamlatdar of Bicholim taluka Mr Gurudas Desai formally handed over the cheque of Rs Fifty-four lakhs today at 4.30 p.m. at Bicholim Mamlatdar office to the delegation of All India Kisan Sabha. Two days ago, the Sesa Mining Corporation Ltd. has deposited the said cheque with the Mamlatdar as compensation for agricultural damage. Earlier the farmers and peasants had organised indefinite Satyagraha against Sesa mining company at Bicholim- Mayem on 16th and 17th November 2015. Thereafter the farmers temporarily suspended the protest on an assurances from the Collector of North Goa Ms. Nila Mohanan and the Mamlatdar of Bicholim, Mr Gurudas Desai as the Sesa mining company had assured to pay the compensation to the protesting peasants . The farmers and peasants of Mayem under the leadership of All India Kisan Sabha had organised Satyagraha / Protest on various occasions since 2006. The last agitation was on 16th November 2015 by blocking the gates of Sesa Goa mining company at Bicholim Mayem till the mining company agreed to pay their compensation as awarded by the Mamlatdar of Bicholim based on crop loss assessment report of the the Zonal Agricultural office. Bicholim. In February 2014, the Mamlatdar of Bicholim by an order in a case filed by the All India Kisan Sabha against the Sesa Goa mining company and the Chowgule company had directed both companies to pay crop loss compensation for damage to their agricultural fields due to mining activities. This is a part payment in terms of compensation to be paid today evening. The Kisan Sabha has accepted the amount under protest and without prejudice to their rights and contentions. The peasants were later addressed by the Kisan Sabha Goa General Secretary Adv. Thalmann Pradeep Pereira and President Kamalakant Gadekar. Long live All India Kisan Sabha ! Long live the peasants and working class struggle!