PANAJI
Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP) President Manoj Parab was among six persons interrogated by Panaji police on Monday in connection with the alleged unlawful protest staged outside the private residence of TCP Minister Vishwajit Rane at Dona Paula.
Parab was reportedly questioned last among the six. Speaking to reporters outside the police station, he termed the action “harassment” of protestors who had demonstrated against the controversial 39A issue.
Police booked Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao, MLAs Carlos Ferreira, Venzy Viegas and Cruz Silva, Parab, and around 1,200 to 1,500 others for allegedly staging the protest outside the minister’s residence.
While police declined to share further details, sources said efforts are underway to identify other protestors for questioning. The Opposition legislators named in the FIR are likely to be called at a later stage, considering the upcoming Budget Session of the Goa Legislative Assembly.
Parab alleged that such cases were an attempt to threaten and silence those raising their voices, stating that such incidents were witnessed during earlier protests, including the agitation over the proposed IIT project.
Advocate Amit Palekar, representing some of the protestors, said summons had been issued to activists and political leaders to appear at various police stations across Goa, even though the protest took place in Panaji.
“Despite Chief Minister Pramod Sawant assuring that complaints against 39A protestors would not be pursued, summons have been issued to several protesters and political leaders,” Palekar told the media.
