Police accused of stifling anti-Mopa airport protests

Police accused of stifling anti-Mopa airport protests
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
PERNEM, AUG 20
Farmers agitating against the proposed Mopa airport have severely criticised the Pernem police for attempting to stifle their protests.
A leader of the Mopa Vimantal Pidit Shetkari Samitte (Mopa International Airport Affected Farmers Committee) has claimed that Pernem police acted on a “false” media report and sent notices to them, warning them against holding any protests on Independence Day.
On August 14, the inspector of Pernem police station sent notices under Section 149 CrPC to leaders of the Mopa Vimantal Pidit Shetkari Samiti (Mopa International Airport Affected Farmers Committee) warning them of action if they went ahead with any protests on Independence Day.
“There is input information received that the members of Mopa Vimantal Pidit Shetkari Samitte will sit for dharna on August 15 during the celebration of independence day at KTC bus Stand Panaji and at Hutatma Smarak Patradevi in protest against acquisition of land for proposed Mopa Air port,” stated the notice.
“You are the activist of the committee and there is reasonable apprehension that you will involved in law and order problem which may led’s (sic) towards commission of serious cognizable offence.”
“You are therefore being issued notice U/s 149 CrPC to desist from getting involved in cognizable offence and in the event if failure in your part deem fit action will be initiated against you,” the notice stated.
Copies of the letter were forwarded to to the Superintendent of Police (North) and the Mapusa SDPO.
When contacted, Pernem Police PI Uttam Raut Dessai confirmed that the notice had been issued to three persons of the committee as per law and to maintain law and under Section 149 of IPC.
“Since the committee leaders had given a call for an agitation on Independence Day, there was a possibility of disturbance of peace,” said PI Dessai.
“It is a common procedure followed by the police department and on the basis of the call for the agitation, we issued a pre-notice to the committee leaders,” added PI Dessai.
The Farmers Committee leaders have, however, criticised the police for acting on a “false” media report.
“A false report was given to the local media and on the basis of this false information, police served the notice,” stated Sandeep Kambli of Shemechi-Advan, one of the committee leaders.
“In fact, we had not given any call for a protest on Independence Day. One of our leaders was in a hospital and police served him the notice at the Tuyem Hospital.”
Incidentally on August 15, nearly 30 affected farmers had assembled near the Barazann Temple at Shemeche-Advan to decide their future course of action.
“Some farmers had assembled near the Barazann temple and performed religious functions to seek divine help to save their land. However, one of the police personnel is trying to defame us and our committee,” alleged Kambli.
He alleged that though the matter pertaining to the controversial acquisition of land for the proposed Mopa airport is before the court, the government has issued acquisition notices to the people.
“Instead of helping us, the government and some political leaders are forcing the people to give up their land for the proposed international airport at Mopa,” alleged Kambli.
It may be recalled that locals of Mopa are up in arms against the proposed Mopa airport, claiming that they would lose their homes, plantations and their livelihood.
A group of affected farmers have formed the ‘Mopa Vimantal Pidit Shetkari Saghtana’ under the leadership of Sandeep Kambli, Hanumant Aroskar and Digambar Tulaskar to fight for their cause.