VALPOI
Police forces on Friday blocked all roads leading to Melauli, even as defiant locals continued protest against the IIT project inside the village.
Some youth were, however, detained as they tried to enter the village in support of the agitating locals.
According to reports, a number of police teams were sent to Melauli and they blocked three entry points leading to the village, near the Government high school at Guleli, near the Khotoda panchayat building and along the Sacorda road.
The police blocked the roads after anticipating that people from other areas would join the agitating protesters of Shel-Melauli and the tense situation could further escalate.
While outsiders were not allowed to enter Melauli, locals were however permitted to move in and out of the village.
Some youth, however, confronted the police and tried to enter Melauli, but they were detained.
A force of policewomen were seen deployed at the Shel-Melauli Jalmi Temple, which is now the epicentre of the agitation.
The huge police presence around the village did not deter the defiant locals from continuing their protests.
While they have been protesting on the road towards Mumurme since the last few months, they decided to protest at the IIT site on Friday.
Despite the huge police presence, the government survey team did not undertake any demarcation work on Friday.
Speaking to reporters, a police official said the Goa Police had decided to block all entry points as precautionary measures to avoid people from other parts of Goa from entering Melauli in support of the agitating locals.
Meanwhile, police officials said over 150 persons have been booked for allegedly pelting stones on the police during the violent clashes at Shel-Melauli
Court reserves order on Melauli bail plea
VALPOI: The Panaji Principal District and Sessions Court has reserved orders on the bail application of Vishwesh Prabhu, who was arrested in connection with the Shel-Melauli clashes, for Monday.
The court has also reserved orders on the anticipatory bail application of Diana Tavares.
Police sources said Prabhu was not sent to a police lockup but he was admitted in hospital after he complained of hypertension.
Locals snub Velip’s appeal to end stir
VALPOI: Efforts by tribal leader Prakash Velip to pacify the agitating locals and persuade them to withdraw their agitation were rejected by locals, who remained firm on their agitation against the IIT project.
Velip visited Shel-Melavali late Thursday evening and interacted with the protesting locals. He appealed to them to withdraw their agitation against the IIT as it is an education project which would also help develop the area and offer many facilities to the locals.
Locals, however, refused to entertain his pleas and said they would go ahead with their agitation as it would adversely affect their livelihood.
They also rejected a proposal to send a delegation to meet the chief minister.
While demanding the immediate withdrawal of all FIRs registered against the protestors, thhe locals said their land ownership rights must be resolved at the earliest.
15 women from its force injured, claim Goa police
PANAJI: Goa Police on Friday claimed that 15 policewomen posted on law and order duty at Melavali on January 6 sustained grievous injuries during the alleged violent attack by anti-IIT protestors.
The Police Department has released a list of the names of these 15 female police personnel from IRB, Bicholim police station and Anjuna police station who allegedly sustained a wide range of injuries to their head, legs, neck, chest, back, hand and so on. Two personnel from the IRB reportedly received stitches for their injuries.
Incidentally, the list mentions the nature of injuries sustained only by 11 IRB female personnel.
Police said that the offence has, therefore, attracted sections 307 (attempt to murder), 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), 324 to 326 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means) of IPC besides other sections including unlawful assembly.
