PANAJI
Goa Foundation has denounced the attack on activist and panch of Cavrem, Ravindra Velip within the jail premises at Sada, saying that such events would only “further vitiate the environment against mining in Goa and delay mining operations indefinitely.”
In a statement issued on Saturday, Goa Foundation director, Claude Alvares demanded an inquiry from the Inspector General of Prisons as to how unauthorised persons could have entered the premises, blindfolded Velip and then beat him up mercilessly.
The inquiry has already been instituted.
“The assault could only have been possible because of the collusion of jail authorities. It was therefore pre-meditated. An inquiry must be conducted and action needs to taken. If Ravindra Velip does not move the Human Rights Commission, the Goa Foundation will,” Alvares said in a statement.
“Ravindra Velip has consistently exposed the illegalities of mining lease holders in Cavrem. It was due to efforts of his group that the authorities located lakhs of tonnes of iron ore illegally extracted and hidden in artificial mountains under layers of mud, after the closure of mining was announced by the State government,” Goa Foundation stated.
"Ravindra Velip has been promoting and espousing the idea of village co-operatives being used exclusively for some of the activities relating to mining, from excavation to transport. This would directly benefit majority of the villagers who till now continue to suffer from the ill-effects of mining activity. Ravindra is, therefore, not opposed to mining per se. But his point is well taken,” Alvares said.
“By assaulting even these persons who are not against mining per se, but who wish to ensure it is done by directly benefitting the local tribal community, those behind the assault are only creating more problems for themselves and their activities in the state,” he added.
