Team Herald
PANJIM: After the startling claims of police teams escorting him out of the State by land grab case accused Siddiqui alias Suleiman Khan, the Opposition has demanded action against Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. While the Congress has demanded Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai to summon the CM, the Goa Forward Party (GFP) has demanded the resignation of Sawant.
Leader of Opposition, Yuri Alemao said, “There is no hope for the people and for those who abide by law. The police themselves have become criminals and errand boys of politicians do illegal activities. The Governor cannot remain a mute spectator to what is happening. He should immediately summon the Chief Minister demanding immediate action.”
Demanding an investigation of the MLA named by Suleiman, Alemao said that people have lost faith in the police and the Home Ministry. “There is a need to investigate why there were lapses in security, when criminals like Suleiman Khan were kept in Crime Branch custody,” headded.
Questioning the security apparatus of the Crime Branch, Alemao said, “Is the Crime Branch lockup permissioned by the Government? Does it have all the security things, which an actual lock-up should have? Home Minister Pramod Sawant should come clear over it. Why were the inmates of the Crime Branch lockup taken outside to use the washroom? This means it doesn't even have a washroom.”
Demanding a judicial probe into the whole episode, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Amit Patkar said that it was a shameful act of the BJP government.“Video released by GPCC Vice President Sunil Kawathankar of accused person Suleiman, suggests that law and order has collapsed in the State. Even the picture is clear how Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and his cabinet ministers are involved in land deals. They have sold Goa,” Patkar stated.
He further said that Goans have lost faith in the police. “This is a serious issue where an accused person is allowed to escape from lockup with the help of police. We demand that police officials to the rank of SP, DySP, Inspector and others named by Khan should be immediately suspended,” Patkar said.
Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa said accused like Suleiman Khan could not have escaped from the custody of the police without the involvement of politicians. “This incident must be thoroughly investigated and action must be taken against the accused officials to regain the confidence of the people,” he said.
Chief Minister must resign: Goa Forward
MARGAO: In the aftermath of the claims by Suleiman Khan, the land grab accused, that Goa police teams escorted him out of the State and he did not escape, Goa Forward Party (GFP) chief VijaiSardesaiand Fatorda MLA VijaiSardesai has demanded the immediate resignation of Chief MinisterPramodSawant for the law and order collapse.
Sardesai released a video stating, “I ask the Chief Minister to be the savior of Goa; vacate your seat; exit your office. Now!"
He questioned the extent of destruction being caused to Goa, stating, “How much havoc and destruction do you intend to cause our beloved #Goa? Beyond doubt that the cancer of corruption has spread to every organ of the administration, from head to toe, with blatant involvement of the BJP-led State government, Goa Police, politicians, and the land mafia.”
The Fatorda MLA emphasized that under the current Chief Minister, a "parade of scams" has surfaced almost daily. He claimed, “There is no doubt in every Goemkar’s mind that the State is in crisis, and the only way to escape utter ruin is for the Chief Minister, who has totally lost their trust, to resign urgently.”