PANJIM: Around seven Taleigao locals, including advocate Albertina Almeida and activist Cecille Rodrigues, were detained for protesting the filling of paddy fields in the village, activity which is underway for construction of the Taleigao Panchayat building. Incidentally, the site is located opposite the bungalow of Taleigao MLA and Minister Jennifer Monserrate.
The locals, who have been voicing their opposition to the project for the past few days, gheraoed officials at the site on Saturday demanding documents permitting the land filling. The protest that began amidst a huge presence of the police turned tensed resulting in their detention.
“I was questioning that the process is not complete,” activist Albertina Almeida said, while being taken in the police van.
Another woman activist who resisted police action repeatedly sought for documents on the land filling while another protestor alleged the activity has been destroying the fields.
“Shame on you police people… Show me the documents… The sarpanch (Taleigao) and MLA, it is not right what you are doing. You have dumped garbage. You’ll get curses (of the people),” one of them said while being pushed in the police van.
Chaos prevailed until the protestors were taken to the Panjim police station. They were detained under Section 151 of the Indian Penal Code and later bailed.
