02/10/2008
Naval Officer In Charge,
INS Kadamba
Arga Karnataka
Sir,
You are aware that under the conditions stipulated by the Government of Goa in
1987 when the use of Anjediva Island was permitted for Sea Bird Project, the
customary feasts ought to be permitted on the Island.
Even prior to 2004 when the feast of Nossa Senhora das Brotas was celebrated on
2nd February, 2004 the Chapel of St Francis de Assisi was declared out of
bounds for the faithful and festivities were not permitted on 4th October,
since long. The chapel is also left in neglect and ruination affecting the
sentiments of the Catholic faithful.
This tantamounts to highandedness of the Indian Navy and violations of the
condition set by the Government of Goa. It is on record till date that the
Government of Goa has re-affirmed in a letter to the undersigned that the
conditions viz of celebrating the two customary feasts on 2nd February and 4th
October stands though due security considerations need to be adhered to by the
faithfull.
The contention of the Defence Ministry in a recent letter dated September 2008
to the undersigned that owing to security conditions the feast could not be
carried out and that due to law and order created in 2004 the Deputy
Commissioner of Karwar District has prohibited festivities on the Island is a
misrepresentation of facts by your base to the Defence authorities.
It may be noted once again that having provided your office (during all visits
of the undersigned on the feast dates) since 2005 and the then Station
Commander Commodore B R Rao with all statutory documents ( which were never in
your possession earlier and hence the ignorance of the ground realities ) for
upward transmission to the Integreted Services Division of the Defence Ministry
and to the Raksha Mantri, the matter is clear that Anjediv till date is a part
and parcel of Goa.
Therefore the excercise of jurisdiction " in the name of averting a law and
order problem in February 2004 by Deputy Commissioner of Karwar District " was
a gross interference in the matters of the State of Goa.
Kindly note that the Island has not been ceded to the State Government of
Karnataka nor as a separate entity under the Ministry of Defence and hence his
interference was uncalled for rather he should have excercised his
jurisdiction over the faction of the activists who were intending to divide
those attended the feast on communal lines, allegedly with the overt and covert
influence of Commodore B R Rao. As Mr Rao had an axe to grind with the local
Municipal Corporation of Karwar.
In the circumstances the letter of the Defence Ministry is not binding as the
conditions precede these directions viz to prohibit entry on the Island.
Our faithful have therefore been advised to visit the Island on 4th October,
even if the authorities do not permit. This social writer and activist has
requested the Member of Parliament Rajya Sabha Mr Shantaram L Naik under copy
of this email to ensure that the misrepresentation of facts by your base is
dealt with at the top most level to ensure that
a) the Chapel which is in ruins due to neglect by your base is restored
forthwith (visit www.colaco.net for pictures with the undersigned in the Chapel
at Anjediv) repaired and festivities permitted.
b) steps be taken to ensure that the religious faithful visiting the Island are
extended full co-operation to celebrate the Feast on 4th October 2008 and
similar conditions be created on 2nd February, 2009
This is notwithstanding any further steps we may deem fit to pursue the
violation of these conditions.
GODFREY J. I. GONSALVES,
BORDA, MARGAO, 403 602, GOA. (INDIA)
+91 98221 58584 (24 HRS)
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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