the goan I network
MARGAO
A group of hair-cutting saloon owners under the banner of Saloon Owners Association, who addressed the media on Wednesday morning at the Margao Municipal Council garden to highlight their grievances and to demand government’s bailout package, were arrested and released on bail for violating the lockdown guidelines.
The Margao police arrested 12 saloon owners, including the association president Laurel Abranches, office bearers and members under section 188 of the IPC for violating the lockdown. They were all released on bail.
The saloon owners had all assembled at the MMC garden to highlight their grievances arising out of the lockdown as well as the illegal operators in the commercial capital. No sooner the association leaders addressed the media, the Margao police booked them for violating the lockdown, even though they addressed the media by wearing face masks and maintaining social distancing.
While association president Laurel Abranches headed to Panaji to enter the memorandum in the office of the Chief Minister, the Margao police called the owners to the police station and booked them for violating the lockdown.
Abranches said they have petitioned to the CM for a bailout package since the state is under lockdown and the possibility of its further extension is now remote.
Moreover, he pointed out that though their business establishments have remained shut for over a month, they have to look after the
migrant workers employed in their saloons.
