MARGAO
The Aam Aadmi Party leaders and the State administration have come face to face again over the Nuvem episode.
While the Maina Curtorim police have started sending notices to AAP leaders to report to the police station for inquiry, party vice-president Pratima Coutinho on Friday refused to accept the notice, terming the notice as illegal. Pratima said she would not accept the notice come what may.
A day after the Maina Curtorim police headed to North Goa to serve a notice on AAP State convenor Rahul Mhambre to report to the police station for an inquiry on Saturday morning, a police team descended on Pratima’s Navelim residence early Friday to serve the notice on her.
A lady police sub-inspector along with her team visited Navelim to serve the notice, but the AAP leader refused to accept the same, leaving the police team with no option but return back to the police station.
Sources said Pratima had clicked a photo of the notice, but later deleted after being cautioned that taking picture of the notice would amount to accepting the same.
A police official told the media that the team had visited Pratima’s residence to serve the notice since an offense has been registered against her for violating Covid norms, including section 144 of the CrPC. “A case stands registered against Pratima and 100 others at the Maina Curtorim police station following a complaint lodged by an Executive Magisrate. But, Pratima has refused to accept the same, even terming the notice as illegal. We have to comply with the procedure an when offense is normally registered”, the police official added.
Later briefing the media, Pratima termed the notice as an act of harassment by the government when she has not committed any offense. “I had in the past gone to the court. Enough is enough. The government is only doing these things to suppress my voice. I am here for Goa and my Goan people. My fight will continue. The more you try to suppress, I will continue fighting for the people”, she said.
Pratima added: “Let the Magistrate do his or her job and let Chief Minister Pramod Sawant do what he wants to do. I will keep fighting for Goa and the people”.
Will not be intimidated
by police: AAP leaders
PANAJI: The Aam Aadmi Party on Friday condemned the BJP's misuse of the police force to intimidate AAP leaders and volunteers.
The party said despite the intimidation, it stood firm that it would not back down and would continue to expose the nexus between the Congress and the BJP that has destroyed Goa.
The AAP also highlighted the fact that the police have failed to take any action against the supporters of the Congress turned BJP MLA Wilfred D'Sa who indulged in violence and assaulted peaceful AAP volunteers.
The party said AAP Goa Convenor Rahul Mhambre received a notice while mourning for his father's death. Along with Mhambre even AAP Goa Vice President Pratima Coutinho has received a notice, it added.
Rahul Mhambre has been summoned to the Maina Curtorim police station at 11.30 am on the July 17. This despite there being no case at all, the party added.
AAP Spokesperson Valmiki Naik said, "This attack was done under full protection of the police. We demand to know, that if there is so much evidence why has there been no action against the followers of D'Sa?"
AAP leader Sandesh Telekar Dessai said, "We stand strongly with our leaders. No one will be able to shake us.
