Team Herald
PANJIM: Panjim Police have till date identified 59 persons who were involved in the mining dependents’ protest of March 19 that had paralysed the State capital for almost five hours.
Panjim Police said that the identification process is still on but those who have been identified have been summoned for investigations in connection with the offence registered after the protest.
Police also said that out of 59 persons summoned, 48 have applied for anticipatory bail. Panjim Police have filed their reply in the matter opposing the anticipatory bail and the next hearing is scheduled on April 9 before the Goa Children Court. Police submitted that due to the agitation, many minor students were harassed on March 19.
Applications of 48 mining dependents are before the Panaji Children’s Court to grant anticipatory bail. Panjim Police further submitted that the agitators not only damaged government and public properties, but, also interrupted traffic in and around the city, due to which many minor students were stranded after leaving school and were harassed.
Mining dependents had filed for anticipatory bail before the Sessions Court in Panjim, but as sections of the Children’s Act have been added to the offence, the court has transferred the applications to the Goa Children’s Court.
Panjim Police is investigating the case under Sections 143 (unlawful assembly), 147 (rioting), 148 (rioting, armed with deadly weapon), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 336 (endangering life and personal safety of others), 427 (mischief), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), 506 (ii) (criminal intimidation) read with 149 (Every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object) of IPC and section 8B of National Highway Act 1956 and Section 3 of PDPA Act, and the Goa Children Act, 2003.
