Team Herald
SANGUEM: With the anti-IIT protests gaining momentum at Sanguem, an alleged attempt seems to be made by the government authorities to silence the voices of farmers by following intimidatory tactics.
Initially, the government imposed Section144 CrPC within the limits of Cotarli village and around 200 metres from the proposed site of IIT project after anti-IIT protests started increasing pulling large crowd for corner meetings conducted by the farmers.
The police are filing cases under Section 107 of CrPC against the agitating farmers.
As of now, three complaints against over 15 farmers have been filed by Sanguem Police before the Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Sanguem.
Incidentally, Joseph Fernandes and another teenager are named as respondents in two of the three complaints. Earlier, the police had filed complaints against Joseph Fernandes, Pedro Cruz and others, a fresh notice is now issued by the SDM against eight farmers namely Joseph Fernandes, Nanda Mapari, Filomena D’Costa, Shantu Gaonkar, Santano Rodrigues, Constancio Mascarenhas and Succorina Dias to appear before SDM, on October 11.
The agitating farmers, who are continuing with their ‘dharna’ from their sit-in agitation at Dando, Sanguem, have termed the police action as arbitrary and accusing police for failing to appear before the SDM for hearing in two cases.
“This is only an attempt by the authorities to silent the agitators from being part of the ongoing protests or hold public meetings,” claimed Santano Rodrigues.
“We have not done anything unconstitutional. Neither, we have disturbed peace or tranquillity in the locality. What we have done all this time is only holding peaceful protests. We literally fail to understand the logic behind booking us under Section 107 of CrPC,” said Joseph Fernandes.
Meanwhile, the sit-in agitation at Dando, which commenced after clamping invocation of Section 144 CrPC at Cotarli village entered 21st day today.
