Pernem police arrests three anti-Mopa airport protestors

Land in Mopa, Varkhand, Ugvem, Chandel, Kasarwarne and Haali has been acquired for the Mopa airport and youth from these 6 villages have formed the ‘Mopa Airport Sangharsh Samiti’ to demand benefits to the locals.

According to sources, 2 youth from Ugvem employed at a construction company had participated in the anti-Mopa airport protest, leading to the termination of their jobs.

On October 19, a youth complained to Pernem police that these two workers were not only terminated from their jobs but were also beaten up.

The company then lodged a police complaint against Subodh Mahale, Siddhesh Mahale and Umesh Varak on Tuesday, accusing them of damaging company premises.

The three accused were summoned to the Pernem police station and later placed under arrest.

Locals were outraged that while the three persons were arrested, police had not taken action on the complaint regarding the assault on 2 Ugvem youth.

A crowd gathered at the Pernem police station, while political leaders Jeet Arolkar, Pravin Arlekar, Murari Parab, former sarpanch Dasharath Mahale and Sunil Shetye were also present at the police station to voice their anger over police action on the arrest of three activists of the ‘Mopa Airport Sangharsh Samiti’.

When contacted, Deputy Chief Minister Babu Ajgaonkar said he would not interfere in police actions.

"When locals employed at the company themselves start fighting against the establishment, it is not fair. I will not interfere in the police action,” said Ajgaonkar.

Deputy Sarpanch Subodh Mahale claimed that accusations made against him and his fellow activists were baseless.

"The police were quick to arrest us, but why was our complaint not given the same attention by the police,” asked Subodh Mahale.

When contacted, PI Jivba Dalvi said an enquiry is going on in connection with the complaint regarding the assault on the 2 Ugvem youth.