THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: The high-handedness of Valpoi Police during a press conference to protest against the proposed construction of IIT in the village has caught the attention of Goa Human Rights Commission (GHRC) that has sought a detailed report of the incident by July 31.
The Commission on Monday issued notice to Superintendent of Police (North) Utkrisht Prasoon and Valpoi Police Inspector Sagar Ekoskar seeking report by July 31, 2020, taking suo moto cognizance of media reports.
The incident last Wednesday saw PI Ekoskar verbally abusing organisers of the press conference claiming they did not obtain the permission in the wake of Section 144 CrPC in place. Four villagers were also detained.
The villagers have been opposing the proposed IIT project at Murmune in Guleli Panchayat, Sattari. The police team led by PI Ekoskar in fact stopped the press conference even before it could start and threatened to arrest the villagers.
The villagers have been voicing their apprehension over the project since June this year, pointing out that the location is a biodiversity-rich area and the land is the only means of livelihood for many of them.
On the other hand, Health Minister and Valpoi MLA Vishwajit Rane reiterated that his government will go ahead with the IIT project.
After the incident, the Opposition came down heavily on the government claiming the police action was for suppressing the voice of the people.
