CM reveals files vanished after protest at TCP office

PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday warned of strict action against those who he said took the law into their own hands during the protest in Panaji and at the Town and Country Planning office last weekend, where officials have reported missing files and verbal abuse of a staffer.
Speaking after a meeting of the BJP legislators' wing at Dona Paula, a visibly upset CM said the TCP officials had lodged a complaint that certain files had gone missing after the protest was held in the office. A female employee also complained that she was verbally abused during the protest.
The protest was led by St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar, among other opposition leaders, to demand the scrapping of Section 39A. Borkar and his colleague have continued with a hunger strike over the issue.
Sawant said Borkar and others were repeatedly requested by the TCP and police officials to step outside the office premises and continue their agitation there, but they remained inside beyond working hours. “Office hours end at 6 pm. What was the need to sleep in a government office?" he said while referring to protesters, including women, who stayed overnight.
Police later escorted Borkar out of the office, during which he sustained injuries. The circumstances of those injuries have become a matter of political dispute, but CM said it was because Borkar vehemently resisted the requests before.
Sawant reiterated that while the government respects the democratic right to protest, demonstrations must be conducted within the bounds of law and decorum. He also warned that action would be taken against individuals who allegedly went to Minister Vishwajit Rane's residence and issued death threats. Also, action as per the law would be taken over the manner in which the protest was held, including storming into the government office, after which the files went missing.
"Should we launch a search at the respective places of each of the protestors?" the CM questioned, calling protests a part of a “modus operandi” to create fear in the name of caste and religion. “Whoever has taken law and order into their hands will not be spared,” he said.
Meanwhile, BJP Goa President Damu Naik said that if any police personnel were found guilty of manhandling Borkar, strict action should follow. He also said that Section 39A should be discussed in the State Assembly and an appropriate decision should be taken by the government.