MARGAO
A group of Shiv Premis on Monday submitted a memorandum to South Goa district Collector, Asvin Chandra with a plea not to withdraw cases against people who have claimed had taken the law in their hand at Sao Jose de Areal during the installation of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue.
While calling for stringent action against the people involved in the incident, the memorandum stated that if the cases are withdrawn in Sao Jose de Areal statue case, then a wrong message will go to the public and such type of incidents will frequently recur in the near future.
In the memorandum, the Shiv Premis led by Satyavijai Naik stated that they had installed Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's statue on Shiv Jayanti day in a private property at Sao Jose de Areal with the NOC of the owner. “Social Welfare Minister Shubhash Faldesai had inaugurated the statue. After the inauguration, while returning from the site on the main road some locals threw mud on the Minister. Some people tried to obstruct the minister by squatting on the ground. After the incident, the police and the bodyguards escorted the minister to his vehicle. Maina-Curtorim police has registered a case against 20 villagers for unlawful assembly, rioting and causing hurt to the policeman”, the memorandum staed.
They demanded to know how can someone take the law in their hands, assuming if the statue was installed without the permission of the local Panchayat as argued by the locals when there are appropriate forums to address this issue.
“. How people can dare to throw mud, obstruct minister and police force from doing their duties in presence of strong police force? 3. How can such audacious behaviour of the locals be accepted at a public place”, they questioned.
Demanding strict action needs to be taken against those involved in throwing mud, rioting, causing hurt to the policeman and the minister, the Shiv Premis said the government should not come under pressure to withdraw the cases against those in Sao Jose de Areal statue case, rather more stringent action should be initiated against those involved in this case.
