JoeGoaUk's Point of View

Latest 11.3.15

Suicide threats, suicide attempts etc at Azad Maidan today

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2c0tNXbSRY

Herald news next day

PANJIM: Chaos erupted at the Azad Maidan, with a protestor even attempting suicide, after the North Goa Collector passed an order directing that the protestors who are on an indefinite strike there, be moved to the Campal parade ground, in view of the Shigmo celebrations.

While employees from the 108 GVK EMRI service agreed to take their protest to the parade ground, members of the Goa Recruitment and Employment Society (GRES) deliberated for over two hours, with some remaining defiant, saying they would rather die than leave the spot. They finally staged a morcha around the ground.

One GRES member’s attempt at committing suicide by consuming medicines was foiled, as police swung into action, by taking the protestor into custody. He was later released. Other striking members were shocked and reduced to tears as they tried to stop the employee from committing suicide.

“We were trying to move the protestors in the most peaceful manner possible with the least amount of force. While the leader had agreed to the terms, the workers refused to listen,” SP (North) Umesh Gaonkar said.

Adv Ajeetsingh Rane who led the GRES group called for the members to move to the parade ground but was met with fierce rejection as many said, “Today they will tell us to move there, tomorrow they may say, “Go home.”

Activist Swati Kerkar too tried talking to the protestors who have been camping at the Azad Maidan since December. “What we didn’t want was for anyone to be slapped with a criminal case which is why we wanted them to calmly go to the new venue,” she said.

The group of more than 100 employees eventually agreed to the move, but refused to be transported by the police vehicle instead preferring to walk with their belongings to the Campal parade ground.

The Shigmostav Organizing Committee which has been conducting programmes since March 4, has complained about the protestors saying, “Just behind the stage, the protestors have set up a fireplace, where they cook their food. This can prove to be a major fire hazard. During one of our programmes, the protestors began shouting at the top of their lungs when our guest of honor was giving his speech,” Shantaram Naik, secretary of the Shigmostav organizing committee said.

He said programmes would go on till March 17. “Speaking from a security point of view, we were given orders to take the protestors to the alternative site,” DySP Serafino Dias said. Based on an order issued by the North Goa Collectorate, Azad Maidan and the Campal parade ground were sites permitted for protests. Since the former was being used for Shigmo, the protestors were asked to move to the alternative protest space.

http://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/Chaos-as-GRES-protestors-moved-to-Campal-ground/85902.html

Many pics here

https://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk73/16783830922/in/photostream

https://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk73/16164888533/in/photostream/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk73/16162500534/in/photostream/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk73/16784810625/in/photostream/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk73/16784829585/in/photostream/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk73/16784821585/in/photostream/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk73/16164890873/in/photostream/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk73/16597240808/in/photostream/

New Venue or shifted here
at Parade Grounds, Campal
https://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk73/16792970905/in/photostream
https://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk73/16605604640/in/photostream/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk73/16605598970/in/photostream/

Previously.... Dec 2014

Goa Recruitment & Employment Employee union - GREE

Protesting or Mass Hunger Strike since 1st Dec. 2014. At Captain of Ports D B Road and now at Azad Maidan Panaji from 7^th Dec

Supported by Trade unions, Congress Party, CPI, 2 BJP MLAs, Social Activists etc

Contract workers, mainly security personnel, fighting for regularisation of their jobs with Govt, Pay hike as per pay commission, timely payments, harassment against lady employees etc

STRIKE CALLED OFF as of 13.12.14 evening

Day 10

Human Chain 7.30pm