Team Herald
PANJIM: A delegation from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) met Panjim PI Vijaykumar Chodankar on Friday to inquire into the status of the police complaint filed against Taleigao MLA Jennifer Monserrate and others, relating to the alleged assault on activist Cecille Rodrigues at Odxel-Taleigao.
PI Chodankar informed the delegation that the investigation had not yet commenced due to police personnel being preoccupied with security arrangements for the Vice President’s recent visit to Goa.
Initially, a group of AAP leaders—including State president Adv Amit Palekar, Velim MLA Cruz Silva, Cecille Rodrigues, and Francis Coelho—were stopped from meeting the police station in-charge. Police officials insisted that only a four-member delegation could meet the PI. However, Palekar and Silva insisted that all eight members be allowed entry.
Rodrigues subsequently contacted Director General of Police (DGP) Alok Kumar, who assured her he would speak to his subordinates. Following this intervention, the entire eight-member delegation was allowed to meet PI Chodankar.
Following the meeting, Adv Palekar stated, “PI Chodankar has assured us that within the next 24 hours, he will initiate action and act as per law, including informing the Disaster Management Authority, which had refused to visit the site. The Panjim Deputy Collector, SDM, and the Tiswadi Mamlatdar had visited the site on the day of the mudslide but have not returned to verify ongoing danger to residents.”
Palekar added that the delegation informed the PI of large-scale hill cutting allegedly taking place beyond permitted limits. He claimed that villagers are being prevented from accessing the site, and alleged that the person responsible for the hill cutting has political connections and is protecting the builder involved.
He further stated, “Residents had warned the builder that the activity at the site was dangerous, but their concerns were ignored. Our complaint is detailed and cites all relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). We informed the PI that witnesses are ready to give their statements, which have not yet been recorded. PI Chodankar has promised to call them and proceed with the investigation. We will monitor the status of the complaint over the next 48 hours.”
Calling out the state of law enforcement, Palekar remarked, “It is ironic that those who once stoned a police station are now in power. Today, police are not allowing even elected representatives into the police station and appear to be taking orders from those accused in stone-pelting cases. Law and order seem to apply only to the opposition. When there is disclosure of a cognisable offence, police must file an FIR.”
He questioned whether the government or the builder would take responsibility should a tragedy befall the residents of the affected area.
Rodrigues expressed her disappointment: “Despite video evidence going viral on social media, no action has been taken by the police.”
The alleged assault took place on the night of May 21. Rodrigues subsequently filed a complaint against MLA Jennifer Monserrate, Taleigao panchayat member Sidney Barreto, builders Sadique Shaikh and Mudhit Gupta, and others, accusing them of criminal intimidation, outraging modesty, and endangering human life.
site inspection conducted, CONFIRMS MLA
PANJIM: Officials from the North Goa Planning and Development Authority (NGPDA) inspected the Odxel site on Friday where a mudslide reportedly occurred due to excavation work by a builder.
NGPDA Chairperson and MLA Jennifer Monserrate confirmed that an inspection had been conducted and that further details would be provided by the North Goa Collector.
When contacted, NGPDA chairperson and MLA Jennifer Monserrate said that inspection has already been conducted and that the North Goa Collector would provide more details.