SOCIAL APOSTOLATE DAY
3rd October, 2010
Message on the Theme of : “Environmental Value of Biodiversity — a Common Responsibility”
A Reflection
Care for the environment represents a challenge for all of humanity. It is a matter of a common and universal duty, that of respecting a common good, destined for all, by preventing anyone from using with impunity the different categories of beings, whether living or inanimate-animals, plants, the natural elements-simply as one wishes, according to one’s own economic needs. This perspective takes on a particular importance when one considers, in the context of the close relationships that bind the various parts of the ecosystem, the environmental value of biodiversity, which must be handled with a sense of responsibility and adequately protected, because it constitutes an extraordinary richness for all of humanity.
Responsibility for the environment, the common heritage of mankind, extends not only to the present needs but also to those of the future. We have inherited from past generations, and we have benefited from the work of our contemporaries: for this reason we have obligations towards all, and we cannot refuse to interest ourselves in those who will come after us, to enlarge the human family. This is a responsibility that present generations have towards those of the future. (Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church – 466, 467)
May these thought-provoking points inspire us to apply them to the environmental-ecological situations we face in Goa and lead us to a firm commitment to remedy some of the degrading conditions.
Let us, for the present, take just three of them:
*Our land, specially our vast cultivable land, particularly our khazans: Most of our fields lie fallow for various reasons: the frequently expressed excuses are that in today’s context agriculture is labour intensive, there is scarcity of adequate labour force as most prefer soft jobs; the monsoons are erratic; khazans are very often flooded with salt water due to breaches in the neglected bunds and hence paddy cultivation is not economically viable. We in Goa who were years back self-sufficient, prefer to buy the different varieties of rice available in the market. Quite a number of these highly-priced varieties are of low nutritional value. Rice has always been the staple diet of Goans. Both Kharif and Rabi (Vaiygonn) crops were grown in many parts; and in the hot season, with water from the field-wells and ponds, chilies, onions, a variety of other vegetables and beans were grown. Sadly this activity is declining. We buy all these from the market. But it is evident that thousands of people in other States “toil in the soil” for Goan Consumers”! In this unhappy reality, it is heartening to note that a few even highly educated youth are returning to cultivate their ancestral lands. This example should get wide publicity to urge others to return to the soil, enrich it and produce our own food.
* The Mining Industry: Environmentally immoral and in many cases illegal mining for iron ore is rapidly destroying Goa. Statements by politicians that this Industry provides jobs to a large number of people and hence must be permitted to prosper, reveal how little these persons in power are concerned about the irreparable destruction of the lower slopes of the Western Ghats, the devastating pollution of air, soil and water which threaten the basic health and well-being of the people of the area, including the labour force. They seem to be blind to the reality of loss of traditional occupations and livelihood of farmers and others who earned on the produce of the forest. Should not the Government have taken immediate steps to stop illicit mining activities? If this is not bad Governance, what else is it? Goans, awaken and together save our hills, our forests, the ‘aam admi’ of those areas and rest of us!
*Garbage Menace: The once picturesque face of Goa is sullied by mounds of garbage and filth everywhere, be it on beaches, along roadways, markets etc. Hotels, Casinos, Barges, Housing Societies and even citizens are responsible for this shamefully distressing situation! Sewage is released with impunity in drains, ponds, streams, rivers and the sea. The sewerage system is faulty in most places. Repairs are slow, if complains are ever attended to! Where are those responsible? Why are we citizens neglecting our duties to make them accountable?
Let us together promote the Environmental Value of Biodiversity — our Common Responsibility.It is proposed to organise a meaningful celebration of this day with a discussion on “Alternative Energies – A Way towards the Future”, expecting that practical and effective suggestions will emerge.
As appeared in the news papers:_
Goa govt protecting illegal mining: Church (Times of India)
Oct 3, 2010,
The Church in Goa has accused the Congress-led government in the state of failing to check illegal mining activities.
In a message to parishioners on the eve of Social Apostolate Day, two wings of the Church, Council for Social Justice and Peace (CSJP) and Caritas, said on Saturday that the inability to stop illegal mining reflects poorly on the quality of governance in Goa.
“Should not the government have taken immediate steps to stop illicit mining activities? If this is not bad governance, what else is? Goans, awaken and together save our hills, our forests, the aam admi of those areas and the rest of us!” reads the message titled ‘ Environmental Value of Biodiversity – a Common Responsibility’.
CSJP executive secretary Maverick Fernandes and Caritas director Valerino Vaz have endorsed the message received by PTI.
“Illegal mining of iron ore is rapidly destroying Goa. But politicians are blind to the reality that traditional occupations are ceasing to exist. Statements by politicians that this industry provides jobs to a large number of people and hence must be permitted to prosper, reveal how little those in power are concerned about the environmental destruction and pollution,” the message states.
According to government figures tabled in the state legislative assembly earlier this year, 18% of mining exports from Goa are illegal.
Church bodies call for saving environment
HERALD NEWS BUREAU
OCT 2
The Caritas-Goa and Council for Social Justice and Peace (CSJP) has appealed to people in the State to promote the environmental value of biodiversity as a common responsibility.
In a joint message to mark ‘Social Apostolate Day’ on October 3, the two church bodies stated that care for the environment represents a challenge for all of humanity.
“It is a matter of a common and universal duty, that of respecting a common good, destined for all, by preventing anyone from using with impunity the different categories of beings, whether living or inanimate-animals, plants, the natural elements-simply as one wishes, according to one’s own economic needs,” the message states.
Commenting on the ecological situation in the State, Caritas-Goa and CSJP highlighted three of the “degrading conditions” — land, the mining industry and garbage menace — that needed urgent attention and action.
“Much of our vast cultivable lands, particularly the khazan lands, lie fallow for various reasons. The frequently expressed excuses are that in today’s context agriculture is labour intensive, there is scarcity of adequate labour force as most prefer soft jobs and the monsoons are erratic.” “Khazans are very often flooded with salt water due to breaches in the neglected bunds and hence paddy cultivation is not economically viable.”
“We in Goa who were years back self-sufficient, prefer to buy the different varieties of rice available in the market. Quite a number of these highly-priced varieties are of low nutritional value.” “Rice has always been the staple diet of Goans. Both Kharif and Rabi (Vaiygonn) crops were grown in many parts; and in the hot season, with water from the field-wells and ponds, chillies, onions, a variety of other vegetables and beans were grown. Sadly this activity is declining. We buy all these from the market,” the message added.
Claiming that thousands of people in other States ‘toil in the soil’ for Goan Consumers, the Caritas-Goa and CJSP was heartened to note that some highly educated youth were returning to cultivate their ancestral lands.
“This example should get wide publicity to urge others to return to the soil, enrich it and produce our own food,” the two church bodies said. Commenting on the mining industry, they noted that illegal mining for iron ore is rapidly destroying Goa.
“Politicians make statements that this industry provides jobs to a large number of people and hence must be permitted to prosper.”
“This only reveals how little these persons in power are concerned about the irreparable destruction of the lower slopes of the Western Ghats, the devastating pollution of air, soil and water which threaten the basic health and well-being of the people of the area, including the labour force.” “They seem to be blind to the reality of loss of traditional occupations and livelihood of farmers and others who earned on the produce of the forest. Should not the Government have taken immediate steps to stop illicit mining activities? If this is not bad Governance, what else is it? Goans, awaken and together save our hills, our forests, the ‘aam admi’ of those areas and rest of us,” the message stated.
On the issue of garbage menace, the two bodies stated that the picturesque face of Goa has been sullied by mounds of garbage and filth everywhere, be it on beaches, along roadways and markets.
“Hotels, casinos, barges, housing societies and even citizens are responsible for this shamefully distressing situation. Sewage is released with impunity in drains, ponds, streams, rivers and the sea. The sewerage system is faulty in most places.” “Repairs are slow, if complaints are ever attended to. Where are those responsible? Why are we citizens neglecting our duties to make them accountable,” asked the CSJP and Caritas-Goa.
They have proposed to organise a meaningful celebration of this day with a discussion on ‘Alternative Energies – A Way towards the Future’.
Development planning law proposed for Goa
Published on: August 5, 2010
The Council for Social Justice and Peace, after a sustained study of the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments and several state instruments of the Union has proposed a Development Planning Law for Goa in sync with the Constitution of India, announced its executive secretary, Fr Maverick Fernandes on Wednesday. The council has been in the forefront of social reform in the state.
Stating that this study has been conducted over so many years, and is pertaining to local governance and access and use of land with differentially capped intensities, the CSJP stressed the mapped information and proposals were to be freely available to the public so that land use and other changes occur in a transparent manner and argued that this would help the government appointed committee in this “long over-due exercise,” adding “We also hope that these recommendations get wide publicity for debate leading to a fine tuning of the CSJP recommendations so as to hasten the report of the government committee towards an acceptable Development Planning Act in place.”
These recommendations are in two parts: the national and the state context for the act and key aspects that need to be in place as part of the act.
Some of the critical aspects addressed in these recommendations are: the creation of a Goa Development Planning Board composed entirely of elected representatives and which Board is required to ensure that the spatial use and intensity of land is in sync with socio-economic investment development through the State Planning Board that coordinates sectoral developments and interests; the functions and powers of the Board and the facilitating role of the chief planner and his/ her department is accordingly spelt out, the definition and broad contents of the Development Plans (20 year perspective, 5-year programmes and annual budgets) and comprising of inter-linked District Development Plans, Settlement Plans for municipalities and village panchayats and of Electoral Ward Plans are accordingly spelt out; an additional function to District Planning Committees (DPCs) to process District Development Plans under this act is recommended for greater coordination. An ideal composition of DPCs comprising of elected representatives is also proposed.
The CSJP also recommends that for plan making, districts are to be declared Planning Areas and Settlements are to be declared as Local Planning Areas and more importantly each district and their settlements would be their own Planning and Development Authority and plan formulation would be in outline form at start and final form after the suggestions/ objections process.
It also wants plans for electoral wards to be part of settlement plans and all levels of plans- district settlement (municipal and village panchayat) and electoral wards would be interrelated in such a manner that Settlement Plans cannot function in isolation of the districts, likewise electoral wards are to be basic components of settlements.
Source:http://www.navhindtimes.in/goa-news/development-planning-law-proposed-goa
Goans urged to contribute to holistic progress of state
Published on: August 23, 2010
Every year the third Sunday of August is celebrated as the Justice and Peace Sunday. This year the Church reflected on how it has been striving to meet the demands of the Millennium Development Goals.
In a statement issued here the Council for Social Justice Peace (CSJP) has argued that it is the right and duty of each citizen to be responsible for the sustainable development of the nation and in particular of her or his own state.
“We Goans must contribute to the holistic progress of our tiny state of Goa by enabling ourselves through: awareness of all laws and amendments proposed in the Legislative Assembly, their scrutiny, in-depth analysis and giving suggestions/raising objections so that these laws are genuinely for the benefit of the citizens; alertness on violations in any sphere and in any form and by taking remedial steps; effective participation in all the activities of the local self governing bodies,” the executive secretary, Fr Maverick Fernandes has said. Jesus’ Mission was to inspire a new way of living – a society where people liberate themselves by practicing values like justice, equality, freedom and human dignity as a constitutive element of their day to day lives. The Church continues His liberating Mission, taking into cognizance the prevailing social situation by inspiring people to create an environment where individually and collectively they can grow to their full potential. The Church encourages and also accompanies them to be creatively productive using their talents, skills and earn their livelihood, Fr Fernandes observed.
The Church in Goa, being fully convinced that holistic health of individuals, families and communities is a basic element for a productive life at all stages, has over decades conducted various projects involving all her institutions with charisms to render active services in different areas of this discipline, he added.
Another fundamental need to education has an essential dimension of the Church’s Mission for decades. The main aim is to impart integral education, based on Gospel values, he further added.
“In today’s context, protection and promotion of the environment and ecology are paramount. In the name of development and economic growth, land not only used but abused has caused irreparable degradation of the ecology and polluted soil, water and air. Vulnerable groups like women, children and youth, many of whom suffer mental, psychological and emotional torture because they are denied their fundamental rights to a fulfilling life. Many of them are used as objects for the service and even pleasure of those who are in power or can buy whatever they desire. Over the years, the Church in Goa has conducted programmes to uphold their dignity and has also established a number of institutions to meet the needs of those deprived of family life,” Fr Fernandes pointed out.
Attention has also been given to unemployment, underemployment and unorganised labour. Various avenues have been opened for empowerment of women through training and employment and also of those disabled but capable of earning their livelihood in suitable jobs, he mentioned adding as early as the mid-eighties, the Church addressed the issue of adverse effects of tourism on the ethico-socio-cultural life of the people, especially in the coastal belt, particularly the impact on the youth. Different initiatives were introduced which culminated in the establishment of Federation of Small and Medium Guest Houses and Hotels in Goa (FOSAM) and Federation of Tourism Taxi Operators and Drivers (FATTOD), assistance to the Shack Owners Welfare Society (SOWS), formation of self help groups of local beach vendors and other similar initiatives under the Centre for Responsible Tourism (CRT).
source: http://www.navhindtimes.in/goa-news/goans-urged-contribute-holistic-progress-state
‘Outrageous errors in Draft Regional Plan 2021’
Published on: Feb 6, 2009,
The Council for Social Justice and Peace (CSJP) has written to the chief minister stating there are outrageous errors and omissions in the Draft Regional Plan 2021 and demanded accountability from those responsible.
In a strong letter to the government, CSJP executive secretary Fr Maverick Fernandes said that active participation of the citizens in the planning, mapping process is a must.
‘The appreciation of the Government for the effort to place the Draft Regional Plan 2021 before the people is reiterated here, as also, the hard work of the members of the Task Force, many of whom selflessly sacrificed their personal energy and time, to produce a document that would serve the State in the next decade,’ the CSJP stated.
‘In continuation of the preliminary points placed before, the following is preferred for your serious personal attention and effective measures in the interest of the common citizens of Goa: The serious and evidently deliberate error in the RPG 21 on Pg 126, no 25 was clearly indicated requesting you to have the necessary corrections done and as all Orders, permissions given by the relevant departments are fraudulent, to have them nullified and the rectifications published for due accountability. If this has not yet been done, please have the needful done soon. Please have the needful done to stop these corrupt processes.
‘The Regional Plan is a policy document for Goa being a Plan for the entire State, Citizens in all areas, whether rural or urban, under All the Local Bodies, have the Right to study the Plan, specially their particular areas. Please ensure that this need is fulfilled,’ the letter said.
The exercise of studying the Plans in the various Village Panchayats, the CSJP said, has exposed grave errors in the mapping in Terekhol, Pilerne, Salvador-do-Mundo, Arpora, Taleigao, Chicalim, Verna, Nuvem, Loutolim, Sao Jose de Areal, Fatorpa, Naquerim- Betul, Cola, Poinguinnim and others.
‘If RPG 21 is to be made practical, transparent policy document for Goa, the people must be given their rightful due opportunity to collect primary data, chart the ground realities with professional help, establish their current position, identify the basic needs, project the future and prepare the Maps. For this all important and undeniably necessary exercise each village/ town must be furnished by the Government with updated detailed Survey Maps to the scale of preferable 1:1000 or atleast 1:2000, as it is well-known that relevant Government departments are in possession of such updated material.’
‘Government must clarify how the present maps were prepared based on Revenue Village areas, Village Panchayat areas, etc as the confusions in many cases have arisen from these factors and the explanations given by the so-called professionals are inadequate.
So that this democratically participatory process becomes useful, the citizens must be given atleast three months from the date of availability of the material at the Local level. The Government has invested large amounts on events like the IFFI, art & cultural facilities, subsidies to projects, etc. Hence, the Government cannot deny the finances in this exercise for the benefit of All the Citizens of Goa,’ the CSJP’s letter stated.
‘Once the plans by the citizens of all the rural/ urban areas are completed, submitted and compiled by the concerned authorities i.e. District Planning Committees, the plans must be made available at each local body for the people to scrutinise and check the veracity of the plan, giving them atleast one month for this very important exercise, to ensure that the said plans are not interfered with in any way at the behest of the self-interest of individuals and groups.
Please have the genuine demands of the people complied with so that the whole exercise is completed at the earliest,’ the CSJP said.
Church urges masses to vote wisely
Published on: Apr 21, 2009,
The Council for Social Justice and Peace (CSJP), an organ of the church of Goa, has urged voters to be guided by the spirit of truth and righteousness in making their choice of candidates for the Lok Sabha polls scheduled on April 23.
Reiterating the essence of the Archbishop’s message to the electorate, the CSJP said that it upholds each voter’s inalienable right to choose their candidates, but clarified that it does not associate with any candidates or organizations campaigning for them.
“Voters should be strongly guided by factors of social justice and common good, rejecting enticements and tall promises for the future,” Fr Maverick Fernandes, executive secretary, of the CSJP said. “Each voter should also demand freedom to practice religion of her/his choice as enshrined in the Constitution and ensure that equality in opportunity will be upheld without any discrimination of culture, religion and ethnicity,” he added.
Stating that the electorate should exercise its franchise based solely on ethical principles and the Constitution, the CSJP demanded a stop to coercion, enticements and any form of cheating to woo voters or to secure an advantage by those involved in the poll.
Upgrading garbage management on scientific lines needed: CSJP
Published on: Feb 25, 2009,
Upgrading garbage management on scientific lines is an important issue, and not only civic bodies but even village panchayats should take it up on a war footing, the Council for Social Justice and Peace (CSJP) stated. “The garbage disposal problem today, in every part of Goa, looms large and poses a serious threat. This issue should be addressed with effective practical solutions on a war footing,” CSJP executive secretary Fr Maverick Fernandes said. Stating that the identification of an integrated sanitary landfill and solid waste management site is proving to be a contentious issue, the CSJP said that it is evident that people’s opposition emerges from bad experiences of those citizens living around dumping sites like Sonsoddo, Curca, Siolim plateau and other areas. “However, the indisputable fact remains that each town and village creates waste proportionate to the population density and that this waste must be disposed of. The question is who’ will do it and how’ it can be done,” Fernandes said.
In a letter to the chief minister, the CSJP has suggested that as garbage disposal poses a threat to health itself, landfill sites should be locatedas the the ministry of environment and forests notification dated September 25, 2000, states”away from habitation clusters, forest areas, water bodies, airports including airbase, monuments, national parks, wetlands and places of important cultural, historical or religious interest”.
Civic bodies should also be made responsible as per the same notification for the implementation of the provisions of these rules, and for any infrastructure development for the collection, storage, segregation, transportation, processing and disposal of municipal solid waste.
“It is evident that local bodies must identify a single or more sites within their jurisdiction to establish scientifically the sound management of solid waste, which does not in any way inconvenience residents in the vicinity (unlike the experiments of the CCP). This should be made applicable to each of the villages,” Fernandes said.
Task force member advocates need to formulate p’yat development plan
Architect and task force member of RP2021 Edgar Rebeiro has advocated the need for local bodies to formulate a Panchayat Development Plan, which looks at a 20-year Perspective Plan, a 5-year Programme Plan and an Annual Budget Plan.
Rebeiro, after providing insights, was summing up at the four-day Agonda Sustainable Development Participatory Planning Workshop, which concluded on Friday at Agonda.
The workshop was jointly organised by Agonda Panchayat, Council for Social Justice and Peace (CSJP), Goa College of Architecture (GCA) and Pratt Institutes Graduate Centre for Planning and Environment, New York, USA.
The workshop which was held in St Annes School hall, Agonda, was also attended among others by Miguel Braganza from the Goa Bachao Abhiyan, Yogita Mehra from TERI, Mr Mamre from Chorao Farmers Club and Clinton Vaz.
These Panchayat Development Plans need to be addressed to the District Development Committee for Goa, stated Rebello.
In a three-fold objective, the community in the village was helped to arrive at shared understanding and common ground. The second was to create a vision, which may be seen as a lighthouse guiding the way for the village of Agonda, where a draft of goals and recommendations as a guiding principles. The third objective was to develop recommendations for incorporation into a settlement plan.
The first day of the workshop involved sharing existing conditions and conducting a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analyses, followed by a Visioning Exercise.
The following two days of the workshop touched upon selected topics like sustainable tourism and economic development alternatives, farmland conservation, sustainable wastewater management options, solid waste management and design guidelines.
Participants explored the problems, priorities and range of options with the use of maps and templates.
The last day was called Taking Action. Aline Fader from the Pratt team explained the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely) Goals by giving an example.
Breakout groups were formed for people to develop SMART Goals and recommendations. The design guidelines breakout group identified Goa College of Architecture as a partner and resource to develop guidelines for sustainable development by the end of 2010.
Other such specific tasks and goals were also set. These would be prioritized by the panchayat and discussed at the upcoming gram sabha.
Interestingly, to make the plan into a comprehensive document, Agonda Panchayat would take on other areas for study, including transportation, education, health, noise and air quality.
The student teams would summarize the workshop findings and submit a framework report for sustainable developments which could serve as a template to prepare the plan.
Abhijeet Gaonkar and Jamila Shaikh, both from GCA, provided quick thinking simultaneous translations in Konkani making sure everyone was brought along in the process.
The ward representatives and panchayat members who attended the workshop met to explore next steps and for a start, proposed to expand the existing core planning committee which worked on the plan for Agonda and make it more inclusive by formally involving other stakeholders and interest groups.
It was felt that the core planning committee would need periodic training as well as input from qualified professionals which would include Government Programmes representatives, environmental engineers, planners, architects, lawyers, sociologists, NABARD, GIRDA and other innovative finance experts.
Fr Maverick Fernandes made representations on behalf of CSJP, Agonda Panchayat was represented by Sarpanch Jovi Fernandes, Panchas Tipu Pagui, Milagrinha Fernandes and Gulshan Guru Bandekar, while many residents participated in the wide-ranging topics and discussions in the workshop.
CHRI, CSJP want Police Bill redrafted
Published on FEB 22, 2010
The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) and the Council for Social Justice and Peace, (CSJP) have demanded that the State government publicise their initiative to redraft police legislation.
Addressing a press conference in the city Navaz Kotwal, CHRI co-ordinator (Police Reforms) also urged the Select Committee to hold public debates and consultations on the Bill and invite public submissions on the type of police service the communities would want.
“It is widely accepted that it is untenable to continue to police the Citizens of India under the Police Act of 1861, which was drafted by the colonial authorities, thus we welcome the fact that Goa has introduced the Goa Police Bill which is intended to provide the people of Goa with much better policing,” Kotwal said.
However, she said, the Bill in its present form has several defects, it does not, reflect the principles of democratic policing; it undermines civil liberties, gives additional power to the police without ensuring the requisite accountability.
“All these factors together will ensure that police functioning will not improve and will continue to remain a force that imposes the law instead of becoming a service that upholds it,” she maintained,
The Supreme Court of India in its 2006 judgment, Prakash Singh and Others versus Union of India and others had directed the Central and all State governments to implement six directives which would kick start the reform process.
“These directives were aimed at giving functional responsibility to the police in matters of administration while remaining under the supervision of the political executive and also ensuring that public complaints are addressed and police accountability is enhanced,” Kotwal stated adding, “Goa implemented these directives but in a highly watered down fashion. It simultaneously also drafted a new Police Act to replace the 1861 Police Act.”
The Draft Police Bill was introduced in the legislature in August 2008 but the bill was then referred to a select committee soon thereafter.
The mandate of the select committee is to examine the Bill and come up with its report.
“Communities are the main beneficiaries of good policing and the main victims of bad policing. Hence, community and civil society participation in the process of enacting a law is essential,” said CSJP executive secretary Fr Maverick Fernandes.
Source:http://www.oheraldo.in/news/Local-News/CHRI-CSJP-want-Police-Bill-redrafted/33869.html
Church conducts signature campaign to petition PM
SEPT 7, 2009
A signature campaign is currently underway in all parishes in the Archdiocese to petition Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to initiate stringent measures to restore peace and harmony in Orissa.
Co-ordinated by the Council for Social Justice and Peace (CSJP), the signature campaign began on August 31 and is part of various petitions to the prime minister to express profound anguish at the unbridled violence in the State of Orissa, particularly in the Khandamal District, following the killing of Swami Lakshamananda Saraswati and his four associates in the Ashram.
We strongly denounce and condemn this deplorable act and while we pray for all the deceased and their bereaved families, we expect and demand that the perpetrators of such heinous crimes be punished under the law of the land, the letter states.
Parishioners have also expressed their strong protests against the communal flames fanned by some unscrupulous organizations, who have deliberately accused the Christian Community and unleashed violence against them, their Institutions and places of Worship.
This sustained hate campaign has resulted in atrocities of burning two to death, killing a number, seriously injuring others, destroying homes and property, forcing people to take shelter in the forest, without basic needs to survive, the petition states.
While condemning the inhuman treatment to citizens of India, violating their rights to harmonious co-existence, the Catholic community has demanded that the Government takes stringent measures to contain the violent attacks on the Christian community, besides beginning an effective process to restore peace and harmony.
These petitions, which are being circulated in all parishes in the Archdiocese comprising Goa, Daman, Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli will later be sent to the CSJP on September 9.
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