MARGAO
With the Supreme Court red-flagging the double tracking project, will the State government now withdraw all the cases foisted on the people who had participated in the agitation against the anti-coal agitation?
As many as three chargesheets have been filed in the Court of Judicial Magistrate First Class, Margao, one each by the Railway Protection Force, Konkan Railway police station and the Maina-Curtorim police against the anti-track doubling agitators. Of the three chargesheets, two pertain to the historic midnight agitation at Chandor village on November 1-2, 2021, wherein the RPF and the Maina-Curtorim police have charged the agitators for blocking the tracks.
Hearing in the case instituted by the RPF against activists Abhijit Prabhudesai, Diana Tavares, Vikas Bhagat and Freddy Travasso has commenced before the JMFC, Margao.
In the wake of the Supreme Court’s ruling on Monday, activists and citizens have clamoured for the withdrawal of the cases foisted on the people of Goa who had participated in the agitation at Chandor and other places.
Goencho Ekvott convenor Creson Antao said the false FIRs filed against the activists participating in the agitation should be immediately withdrawn. He said the government should not stand on false prestige and act by withdrawing the cases filed by the Goa Police and the Railway Protection Force. “The Supreme Court ruling has proved that the people of Goa were fighting for a just and genuine cause to save their State from the harmful effects of coal and destruction of environment. We hope the government should not see reason and withdraw all the criminal cases registered against the agitators,” Creson demanded.
Goa Forward President, MLA Vijai Sardesai had demanded the withdrawal of the cases filed against the activists for protesting against double-tracking. “They have fought for interest of Goa,” he said.
While requesting the Chief Minister to withdraw the cases against the protesters as a gesture of goodwill, saying they had fought for the interest of Goa. “The SC decision is what every Goenkar wished and prayed for and it’s a reward for their relentless and determined opposition to projects that defaced Goa, destroy the environment and disrupt our fragile ecosystems. It’s Goa that has won,” he added.
