Activists cry foul, chide p'yat authorities for targeting Dias for daring to question
The activists who came to support activist Elsa Dias are seen at the Old Goa police station on Wednesday.
Photo Credits: Manuel Vaz
OLD GOA
Santa Cruz activist Elsa Dias got summons from the Old Goa police over a complaint related to the recently held gram sabha which was held in February.
In this connection, Dias accompanied by her lawyer met the Old Goa PI Satish Padwalkar on Wednesday, to reply to the complaint which was apparently signed by 54 persons.
Later speaking to reporters, Dias informed that the complaint was a frivolous one and many persons who were signatories to the complaint were not present at the gram sabha.
“Actually, the plaint seems to suggest that I had created a law-and-order situation at the February gram sabha, when in fact it was quite the contrary as I was cornered and hassled,” Dias stated.
Explaining further, Dias said she had asked nine questions to the panchayat, of which only three were answered while the authorities refused to answer the remaining six, after which the pandemonium started.
“In the pandemonium, I was cornered and targeted by a group and it can be proven in the video recording of the gram sabha,” Dias stated.
Further, she said that ever since the incident occurred, there is a systematic plan to harass her as various complaints have been made against her and her relatives allegedly at the behest of the panchayat authorities.
She then added that it’s been more than a month that she had applied for copy of the video recording of the gram sabha, but she is yet to get the same.
“I think now the only option left for me is to approach the courts,” she added.
Meanwhile, several activists came out in support of Dias and chided the panchayat authorities for targeting the activist for daring to question the panchayat.
The activists made their presence at the Old Goa police station to express their solidarity with Dias and included Cecille Rodrigues, Rama Kankonkar, Arturo D’Souza, Jack Mascarenhas, Mariano Ferrao, Brian Gonsalves, architect Arminio, Seby, among others.
Speaking to reporters, Cecille Rodrigues said she had come to support Dias as she had faced a similar situation in Taleigao panchayat where she was targeted for speaking against the ruling dispensation.
“I faced a similar situation and a case is also underway in the court,” Rodrigues informed while adding that they will stand by Dias and even take the issue to the higher authorities including the Director of Panchayats.
