Thursday 28 Mar 2024

Cops seek in writing from Cong leaders that it won't disturb ISL

THE GOAN NETWORK | NOVEMBER 22, 2020, 12:45 AM IST

PANAJI
Officers of Goa Police late on Friday night allegedly visited the residences of Congress leaders Jana Bhandari, Amarnath Panjikar, Sankalp Amonkar and Varad Mardolkar seeking written undertaking from these four political leaders assuring that they will not disrupt any activities of the Indian Super League in Goa.

It may be recalled that these Congress leaders had been protesting the lack of employment opportunities extended to local Goans by the management of the ongoing ISL. Earlier this month, they had stopped the buses of Mumbai FC outside Nagoa Panchayat ground where the team was practicing. 

Following this incident, top officials of ISL reportedly met former Chief Minister Digambar Kamat at Congress House in Panaji and the matter had been resolved. While the ISL management had promised to issue work orders to locals wherever possible by the evening of November 23, Congress leaders had assured that they will refrain from causing any trouble for the ISL fixtures in Goa. 

“We had already assured not to disrupt the schedule based on the assurance from ISL officials that they will look into the matter of providing employment to locals. Despite this, ISL officials are now using pressure tactics and are using Goa Police. We are ready to get arrested but we will not give any undertaking,” stated Congress vice president Amonkar. 

The four leaders met Superintendent of Police (South) Pankaj Kumar Singh at the Police Headquarters in Panaji on Saturday to explain the matter. “SP told us that if we have already settled the matter verbally, we should back it up with a written undertaking that we will not disrupt ISL activities. He said that the Collector has ordered police inspectors in South Goa to take an undertaking or to arrest us. We are ready to court arrest,” Amonkar said. 

Meanwhile, highly placed sources from the Police Department claimed that such a written undertaking has already been secured from the four Congress leaders following which the matter has been laid to rest.

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