MARGAO
Saldanha on Wednesday asserted that the latter were indeed caned by the police, saying that she cite five persons who had received injuries on their legs.Alina told the media at the District Collectorate, South, on Wednesday, that she does not know what had made the Chief Minister to deny that there was no lathicharge on the fishermen, adding “may be the Chief Minister was misinformed on the episode.”Asked whether she would depose before the magistrate conducting a probe into the incident, Alina shot back, “To depose one has to be a witness. Unfortunately, I was not around when the incident took place.”To another query whether she was satisfied with the investigation into the lathicharge, the RDA Minister said no one had briefed her on the details of the ongoing investigations, adding that the District Collector is conducting a study on what happened on the day of the incident.Asked why did the government dilly dally on the issue when the fishermen were demanding a ban on LED lights three months ago, Alina said, “I do not want to take sides. But the fact remains that there were two sides to the issue, those in favour of LED lights and others who opposed the lights. This fisheries department was trying to find out the right solution.” Alina added that the notification issued by the Fisheries Minister will help check the use of LED lights, saying even the fishermen are free to accompany the authorities to check the authenticity of the vessels.Replying to a question, whether Aam Aadmi Party has made any inroad into the fishermen areas in recent times, Alina said most of the statements made by the AAP joint secretary were politically motivated. “The AAP joint secretary even termed the action proposed by the government on the pontoon removal as an eyewash. Where is the eyewash? Everyone genuinely wants the pontoon to be removed,” she said.Alina reminded that her late husband Matanhy Saldanha had never taken political mileage by fighting for the just and genuine demands of the traditional fishermen. “He fought for their rights for 40 long years without expecting anything political from the fishermen,” she added.
