MARGAO
Demanding withdrawal of the FIRs registered against the people of Melauli agitating against the IIT project, Waste Management Minister Michael Lobo reminded the government that the villagers are not Pakistanis or Chinese, but Niz Goemkars.
He said Chief Minister Pramod Sawant can get the FIRs withdrawn after seeking advice from the prosecution.
Saying he is all for the withdrawal of the FIRs against the Melauli villagers, Lobo, however, said the final decision rests with the Chief Minister, who is also the Home Minister.
“The Chief Minister will take the final decision on withdrawal of the FIRs. I feel these cases have to be withdrawn. These villagers are not from Pakistan or China. They are our very own people,” he said.
Saying he was pained to see how the villagers had to face the brunt of the police, Lobo recalled that he
had called up the Chief Minister with a plea to immediately bring the situation under control.
