VALPOI
The State government has decided to prevent the Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP) from holding its Mhadei awareness Padyatra in Sattari, with the Dy Collector issuing an order under Section 144 of CrPC to prohibit assembly of any kind by RGP’s ‘Together for Mhadei’ and its associates.
The imposition of Section 144 CrPC is effective for a period of 60 days, but the RGP has decided to challenge the deputy collector’s order in the court.
Tensions over the Padyatra began shortly after it started from Thane village on Monday. The Padyatra was stopped at Mauxi after the local Panchayat objected to the rally.
The Padyatra was later stopped yet again at Koparde after police claimed some locals had complained about the possibility of law and order problem if the Padyatra was allowed to enter their village.
The RGP’s Padyatra to create awareness on the Mhadei issue encountered further tensions on Tuesday when the Valpoi Municipal Council (VMC) and all panchayats petitioned the Deputy Collector not to allow the Padyatra in Sattari.
In their petition to Deputy Collector Praveen Parab, the local bodies had stated that RGP’s Padyatra could lead to law and order problems in Sattari.
A hearing took place on Tuesday evening and Deputy Collector Praveen Parab passed an order on Wednesday morning, imposing Section 144 of CrPC to prohibit assembly of any kind by ‘Together for Mhadei’ and its associates for the purpose of demonstration, procession, Padyatra, in Sattari. The order has been made effective for 60 days from the date of issue.
The order warns of action if attempts are made to stage the Padyatra.
SEC 144 ONLY FOR PADYATRA
The imposition of Section 144 for RGP’s Mhadei awareness Padyatra in Sattari led to some confusion on whether it would be applicable to other mass gatherings in the taluka.
When contacted, Deputy Collector Praveen Parab clarified that the order imposing Section 144 was only applicable to RGP’s Mhadei awareness Padyatra in Sattari.
“This order will not apply to other public events in Sattari and there should be no misunderstanding in the minds of public. The order will not have any impact on the forthcoming traditional Shigmo festival in Sattari,” said Parab.
RGP CHALLENGE
The RGP has decided to challenge the order of the deputy collector in the court, after claiming that it was well within its right to hold the Padyatra and it was not an undemocratic act.
RGP Supremo Manoj Parab has ridiculed opposition to their Padyatra and said any law and order problem on account of their awareness rally was ridiculous.
Alleging that theDy Collector has been under pressure to issue an order under Section 144 of CrPC to stop the Padyatra, the RGP has also criticised the government for stopping their peaceful rally to raise awareness on the Mhadei river diversion.
