On Friday, many MLAs and ministers met the protesting FORCE members and, after assuring that the bill for grants to English-medium schools would be passed in next assembly session, requested them to withdraw their hunger strike.
Speaking to the press on Sunday, FORCE committee member Cynthia Fernandes said “Whether to ask for written assurance from government, our further course of action – everything will be decided tomorrow.”
Curchorem legislator Nilesh Cabral also visited Savio Lopes’ residence in Chinchinim and requested the latter’s wife to convince Savio to withdraw his hunger strike. Savio’s wife Veera Lopes flatly refused.
Meanwhile, following the directives of Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, south Goa police stations booked cases against the parents who held a rasta roko across Goa on Friday to demand grants for English-medium schools. 8,300 people were booked in the district for blocking roads and traffic.
FORCE members are on a hunger strike for the last seven days to force the government to pass the Goa Education Amendment Bill in the ongoing assembly session. However, the government stated that bill will be tabled in the coming assembly session and passed once the select committee report receives the same. It also maintained that the cabinet decision to give grants to English-medium schools would not withdrawn at any cost.
