PANJIM: Hanumant Parab of Pissurlem Farmers Association on Monday filed a complaint before the State Police Complaints Authority (SPCA) against the Bicholim DySP Sagar Ekoskar and Valpoi PI Prajyot Phadte for allegedly assaulting him at the Valpoi Police Station.
The complaint has been filed against police officials by Parab as per the directives of the High court of Bombay at Goa. The High Court while dismissing his plea seeking action against the officers had asked him to approach the SPCA.
Parab had complained that while he was protesting against mining transportation at Pissurlem on March 12 this year, the police detained him and 14 farmers and took them to the Valpoi Police Station where he was allegedly assaulted by the two police officers.
After filing his complaint, Parab told reporters that the complaint was filed before the SPCA as per the recent order by the High Court. He charged that the police officials were sold to the mining lobby.
“There is political involvement, especially that of a Sattari politician. I will reveal the name of this minister soon,” said Parab.
“Mining transportation is happening despite Supreme Court judgment banning mining transportation through the villages. The State government has failed to stop illegal transportation”, he said.
“We had met Chief Minister and he had assured us to solve the issue. But on the contrary, we get assaulted by the police,” he added.
According to Parab, mining lease holders and buyers of ore are the main enemies of the Pissurlem farmers. “Government is auctioning and selling iron ore from mining leases which are under investigation by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which was non-functional for last few years”, he claimed.
