OLD GOA
Anticipating that the Bhomkars would indulge in violent activities thereby committing breach of peace and disturbing public tranquility, the Ponda Sub Divisional Magistrate has sent notices to 22 Bhomkars over the road-widening agitation.
The notice has been issued under Section 107 of CrPC 1973 and the Bhomkars have been asked to remain present in person in the SDM’s court, on February 2, to explain why they should not be required to execute a bond of Rs 10000 and also to give security of like amount, assuring that they will keep peace for six months.
The SDM has cited the incident of December 20 last year when the Bhomkars refused to allow the officials to conduct survey of trees.
Reacting to the notice, leader Sanjay Naik has termed it as another attempt to stifle their voices by the “autocratic government”.
“By sending notices to 22 of us, they want to suppress our agitation. But we want to make it known to the powers that be, that we are not going to be cowed down by such arm-twisting tactics,” Naik forewarned.
“On December 20, last year, when the officials came for survey of trees we merely asked them to show us the plan of the road-widening project and then go ahead with the survey. But they were not willing to heed to our demands and insisted on going ahead with the survey,” Naik informed and questioned whether the villagers are not even allowed to voice their dissent.
“This shows that this is an autocratic government which will go to any length to suppress the voice of the people,” Naik added.
