[Goanet] Join in solidarity

[soter]

The Villagers need you now.

The Siridao villagers are now in the firing line of the desperate builders and 
real estate mafia. It has happened in Benaulim and now it is occuring in 
Siridao within a span of 8 days.  In both the cases the complainants are the 
local Sarpanchas who have falsely accused the Gram Sabha members of heckling 
them and threatening them with dire consequences. While the inocent benaulim 
villagers are out on bail after a solid show of solidarity,  the 4 accused 
Siridao villagers are awaiting arrest any moment. 
This is not a new phenomena in Gram Sabhas. Corrupt Sarpanchas and elected 
members use their office to target innocent citizerns who demand their rights 
and perform their duty.  Political patronage to these Sarpanchas encourages 
them to work against the people and turn them into criminals just to discourage 
them from exercising their democratic rights. Reports received indicate that 
the Goa government is now contemplating amendment to the Gram Sabha laws to 
neutralise their say in the construction activity in the villages. GBA which 
prides itself as being the voice of the Goan people has not even issued a press 
note in solidarity with the villagers who are battling it out on the ground. 
Instead they are busy providing kits to the people to create awareness about 16 
& 16A. Distract the people with one problem, while the more serious one's get 
ignored. This is politics GBA style?
When fishermen suspend their fishing activities to battle against the mega 
projects their contribution is taken for granted. When taxi drivers, toddy 
tappers forego their day's earnings just to join the battle for their villages, 
no one acknowledges their sacrifice. But when professionals step out of their 
AC comforts to join a people's struggle, the people are expected to sing 
praises in their name. What discrimination?
It is time for the people of Goa to stand up unitedly and repulse the attack on 
the democratic rights of citizens by the corrupt politicians who are in 
collusion with the builder, real estate and drug mafia in Goa. Let us voice out 
our support in solidarity with the Gram Sabha members of Benaulim, Colva, 
Carmona, Betalbatim, Siridao, Aldona, Moira, Agonda, and 
.

-Soter D'Souza

[Goanet] Join in solidarity

[Miguel Braganza]

Dears,
 
It is time for every Goa to stand up and be counted. It is time to support the 
activists being targetted in Benaulim and Siridao ... or YOU may be the next 
target, for whatever reason. No reasons are required for a "frame up". An 
elderly couple from Nachinola was arrested and interogated for murder of their 
daughter ... when she was allegedly killed by the paramour of their 
daughter-in-law. That of course did not prevent the newspapers from defaming 
the parents without any apology thereafter. As Soter points out the poor and 
the rural do not really matter in the present world.
 
Let all groups support each other. It is a must if five more amendments to the 
Town & Country Planning Act, Goa Panchayat Raj Act and other laws are not to 
slip through with the Opposition party taking a nap in the Legislative Assembly 
on the eve of Ganesh Chaturthi.  Let the people of Goa, who these village 
activists finally represent, support them . or kiss Goa good bye. The 
Regional Plan 2021, the Mopa Airport and the 6-lane Expressway are nothing 
compared to the amended TCP Act  passed when you and I were napping last 
March.
 
 
Mog asundi.
 
Miguel 
 
PS
If you are in Goa, join the GBA at TB Cunha Hall ,Panaji, at 4.00P.M. sharp on 
02 August for a presentation on some of the things the new look TCP Act will do 
to YOU in Goa.

Date: Fri, 1 Aug 2008 11:51:06 +0530
From: "soter" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: [Goanet] Join in solidarity
Message-ID: [EMAIL PROTECTED]

The Villagers need you now.

The Siridao villagers are now in the firing line of the desperate builders and 
real estate mafia. It has happened in Benaulim and now it is occuring in 
Siridao within a span of 8 days.  In both the cases the complainants are the 
local Sarpanchas who have falsely accused the Gram Sabha members of heckling 
them and threatening them with dire consequences. While the inocent Benaulim 
villagers are out on bail after a solid show of solidarity,  the 4 accused 
Siridao villagers are awaiting arrest any moment. 

Reports received indicate that the Goa government is now contemplating 
amendment to the Gram Sabha laws to neutralise their say in the construction 
activity in the villages. 
 
It is time for the people of Goa to stand up unitedly and repulse the attack on 
the democratic rights of citizens by the corrupt politicians who are in 
collusion with the builder, real estate and drug mafia in Goa. Let us voice out 
our support in solidarity with the Gram Sabha members of Benaulim, Colva, 
Carmona, Betalbatim, Siridao, Aldona, Moira, Agonda, and 
.

-Soter D'Souza





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