27 charged with unlawful assembly, rioting, and causing harm to police officers during February 2024 incident at Padribhat
Sao Jose de Areal villagers, along with Velim MLA Cruz Silva, outside the courtroom of the Margao Civil and Criminal Court on Thursday.
MARGAO
Sao Jose de Areal villagers appeared before the Court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Margao, on Thursday to face trial in connection with the February 19, 2024, incident arising from the installation of the Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's statue.
The CJM, Margao, had issued summons to 27 individuals accused by the Maina-Curtorim police of unlawful assembly, rioting, wrongful restraint, and causing harm to policemen during the incident.
After their appearance, the accused were instructed by CJM Shuboda Dalvi to execute a bond of Rs 15,000. The hearing was adjourned until September 9. The accused appearing in court were handed copies of the charge sheet filed by the police.
The incident occurred at Padribhat-Areal on the afternoon of February 19 when Social Welfare Minister Subhash Phal Dessai arrived to pay tribute to the Maratha warrior at a statue installed on a hilly private property the previous day.
Local villagers were protesting on the grounds that the statue had been installed by a group of individuals without obtaining permission from the Sao Jose de Areal panchayat. They also raised concerns over the manner in which the statue had been installed, claiming that the primary intent behind the installation of the Shivaji statue was to pave the way for a motorable road to the private property for development.
The 27 accused individuals have been charged with offences punishable under sections 143, 147, 353, 332, 341, read with section 149 of the IPC, including unlawful assembly, rioting, wrongful restraint, using force to deter a public servant from performing their duties, and causing harm to a public servant in the course of their duties.
The accused have been charged with forming an unlawful assembly with a common objective, using force to block the path of police and other officials, and throwing mud and stones, which resulted in injuries to police officers on duty. These officers were escorting Minister Phal Dessai to his vehicle after he had come to pay respects at the statue of Chatrapati Shivaji.
The Maina-Curtorim police have cited 71 witnesses, including 59 police officers, constables, and IRB personnel, as well as the deputy collector and three joint mamlatdars, in support of their case.
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Areal villagers reject ‘false’ charges, vow to fight for justice
MARGAO: Sao Jose de Areal villagers criticised the police for charge-sheeting them in connection with the 2024 Shivaji Maharaj statue installation incident, but expressed confidence in the judiciary.
While condemning the police for listing them as accused when they had merely staged a protest against what they described as the illegal installation of the statue in Areal, the villagers remained assured that justice would prevail in the court.
“We have full faith in the judiciary,” stated Areal villager and social activist Freddy Travasso after appearing in the Court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Margao, alongside other villagers.
He argued that the police had fabricated a false case against the villagers, who had only gathered at Padribhat to protest and question the installation of the Shivaji statue without the required Panchayat permission. “This is a false case aimed at silencing Sao Jose de Areal villagers, not only in this instance but in other matters as well. We have full faith in the judiciary. Justice will prevail,” Freddy said.
He continued, “Areal villagers are not accused persons; we are warriors fighting to protect our village from illegalities and destruction. We will continue to fight for justice.”
Moreno Rebello, a former Zilla Panchayat (ZP) member from Curtorim and a Congress leader, who is also one of the accused cited in the charge sheet, stated that he and the people had full faith in the judiciary. He claimed that the police had filed a false case against the villagers for protesting the illegal installation of the statue.
“The villagers have been charged in this case, even though the illegalities were carried out by the rival party, which trespassed onto private property and installed the statue without Panchayat permission,” he added.
