SANGUEM
In a crackdown on farmers protesting against the IIT project at Cotarli-Sanguem, Sanguem Police on Tuesday arrested Joseph Fernandes and are on the lookout for three others.
Fernandes, one of the main agitating farmers, was arrested for offences under Section 186 (voluntarily obstructing public servant) and 506 (ii) (criminal intimidation). He was, however later, released by JMFC Sanguem on a surety for Rs 10,000 and on condition, to report to the Investigating Officer at the Sanguem Police Station for the next five days.
Sanguem police are also on the lookout for three others, Philip Vaz, Maria Agusta Vaz and Swizelle Cruz for the similar offences.
Police initiated action after field surveyors, Saideep Gadkar and Tanuj Vaigankar, filed a complaint at the Sanguem Police Station, in connection with survey work to demarcate the proposed site for IIT on government land.
Sources informed that the police are also in the process of filing fresh complaints against the farmers who agitated at the site on Monday.
Meanwhile, farmers continued to guard their farmland and other agricultural plantations at Cotarli village, after farmers noticed demarcation stones being put beside their paddy fields and at the entrance of Chapel and Cemetery at Chinchant-Sanguem.
The authorities have, however, claimed that these demarcation stones are only for reference and do not signify the property and the Chapel being acquired for the project.
While farmers continue to remain in fear of police action against them, the imposition of Section 144 within an area of 200 metres from the proposed site for IIT and as demarcated by the government has caused further anxiety.
