FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2024
Team Herald
PORVORIM: : Chief Minister Pramod Sawant stated on Friday in the Legislative Assembly that the government is keeping a sharp vigil on the activities of the Popular Front of India (PFI), its members, supporters, and the accused in the state.
Replying to a calling attention notice tabled by Pernem MLA Pravin Arlekar, Sawant said that a sharp watch is also being kept on the accused Altaf Hussain, Altaf Sayed, and 23 of his associates, who were thoroughly interrogated in the case. He said that during the course of the investigation, it came to light that Altaf Sayed had been funding a political group called “We For Fatorda”.
It also came to light that the Hyderabad police had registered a case against Altaf Sayed under IPC Sections 387 and 347 read with 34. The investigation is still in progress, the Chief Minister said.
Following the imposition of a ban by the Government of India, as many as 32 activists were arrested under the preventive sections of CrPC. These arrests were made in the areas of Fatorda, Maina-Curtorim, Vasco, Valpoi, Ponda, and Margao police stations. Sawant said that all the offices of the outfit were sealed, and various documents related to the outfit were handed over to the respective District Magistrate. In addition, the office premises of Humane Welfare Trust, a sympathiser organization of PFI situated at Shirvodem, Margao, were also searched.
Arlekar said that there is fear and anxiety in the minds of people in Goa in connection to the activities of Popular Front of India in the State. “Goa is an example of brotherhood and communal harmony, and such organisations are posing a threat to the social fabric of Goa,” said Arlekar, who wanted to know what steps the government intends to take in this regard.
