MARGAO
Water Resources Department (WRD) Minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues on Monday became the first minister to say that DGP’s comments on double-tracking and other projects have only sent a wrong message that the government is defunct and the officers are functioning.
He also assured to take up with the Chief Minister the withdrawal of FIRs registered by the police against the protesters.
As protesters cried aloud for action against the DGP as well as the DySP, who had threatened protesters at Davorlim last week, Filipe said ‘government never allows officers to make statements. I have no idea under what provisions of authority the police officer has made the statement. I will ask the Chief Minister, who also holds the Home Portfolio, to check the statement. DGP’s statement has sent a wrong message that the government is defunct and officers are functioning”.
The WRD Minister told the police not to suppress the voice of the people. “Don’t curb the voice of the people. I have told the police not to cross the Nessai gate for my security since I represent the constituency.”
On the withdrawal of FIRs, Filipe said he would first try to know the reasons behind the FIR and the provisions of law or Act invoked by the police. When the protesters drew his attention to the foul language used by a DySP against the protesters, Filipe said he totally disagrees with the stand of the police officers.
