MARGAO
Anti-coal protestors charged by the Goa police for unlawful assembly and restraining traffic at Chandor during the historic midnight agitation on November 1-2, 2020, Wednesday welcomed with smiles the fresh charge sheet filed against them, saying they feel proud that they are being charged for saving Goa from destruction.
Eight of the 10 protestors, including activists, remained present in the Court of Judicial Magistrate First Class, Margao in response to the summons. Those present in the courtroom, included Abhijit Prabhudesai, Freddy Travasso, Sandesh Talekar, Vikas Bhagat, John Coutinho, Diana Tavares, Viriato Fernandes, Royla Fernandes.
The Judge told the accused persons to furnish a bond of Rs 10,000 with identical sureties. When the lawyers representing the accused submitted that the accused are all activists fighting for the State and prayed to reduce the bond amount since they are also facing another case in another court under the Railway Act, the Judge reduced the bond amount to Rs 5,000.
After coming out of the court, activist Abhijit Prabhudesai said the battle to protect Goa and its environment for posterity will continue, saying the people will not be cowed down by false and fabricated cases.
“We welcome with pride the charge sheet filed by the government for our efforts to save Goa and its environment from destruction. We will continue our battle notwithstanding these cases and charge sheets,” he vowed.
====INSET=====
Why politicians not charged, asks activist
MARGAO:
Activist Vikas Bhagat, charged in the November 1-2, 2020 Chandor midnight agitation, on Wednesday demanded to know why former and present MLAs, including Digambar Kamat, Aleixo Sequeira, Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco and Sankalp Amonkar have not been charged by the police when they too were part of the agitation.
Lawyers of the accused also pointed out that the government has selectively targeted the activists behind the agitation while leaving the politicians scot-free.
“The whole world knows that former and present MLAs including Digambar Kamat, Aleixo Sequeira, Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco, Sankalp Amonkar and others had participated in the agitation. But, the government has not filed cases against them. This is the government’s attempt to mete out harassment, but the people of Goa will triumph,” Vikas vowed.
