MARGAO
The civil society and human rights groups questioned the Goa police for denying permission to hold a peaceful protest opposite the South Goa Collector to express solidarity with detained Teesta Setalvad and others on ground of spurt in Covid cases when the government has issued no notification imposing Covid restrictions.
The rights activists also demanded to know whether an order under Section 144 of the CrPC is in force restricting the movement of people.
At a media briefing, convenor of the Concerned Citizens of Goa, Lumina Da Costa Almeida asserted that the denial of the Constitutional rights of holding peaceful protest opposite the Collectorate, South is highly questionable. “The government authorities have clearly gone against the human rights enshrined by the Constitution of India,” she said, but vowed to hold the peaceful protest soon.
She added: “People are disturbed because their rights were denied by the double engine government. We are very much upset with what happened with the arrest of Teesta and others and the flimsy grounds on which they have been detained,” she said.
Human Rights activist Adv Albertina Almeida said she is not too surprised that the government has muzzled freedom of speech and expression of the people. “We were only planning to register a peaceful protest. They have denied the permission to hold the peaceful rally citing spurt in Covid cases, but the same authorities allowed a procession in the capital city. It is very clear there is discrimination and targeting of the minorities and human rights,” she charged.
President of Confederation of Human Rights, Fr Savio Fernandes also told the media that the reasons for denial of permission to hold the peaceful protest is not acceptable.
