MARGAO
Goa Police has a tough time in controlling the huge crowds of supporters of candidates, who thronged to the Matanhy Saldanha complex on the penultimate day of filing of nomination papers.
Supporters and party workers swarmed around the north and west side of the district Collectorate building, violating the COVID-19 pandemic norms with impunity.
As party supporters and workers gathered just outside the office of Returning officers, shouting slogans in support of their candidates, Additional Collector, South Surendra Naik made his presence felt at the entrance to the building around noon. He was seen persuading the candidates and the supporters to move near the entrance gates and address the supporters, but in vain.
Returning Officer for the Margao and Fatorda seats, Prasad Volvoikar once came out of his office to direct the police to crack a whip against people swarming outside his office. He even directed the police to start penalizing the people with fines.
As the situation threatened to go out of control, the police higher ups requisitioned force from the neighbouring Margao and Maina Curtorim police station to restore a semblance of order around the building.
Sub-divisional Police officer, DySP Sandesh Chodankar was seen driving away the supporters and workers towards the parade grounds. Personnel of the Paramilitary force was also deployed to clear the people assembled in and around the Collectorate building.
