BICHOLIM: The police on Sunday stopped Congress’ tractor rally against the farm bills stating that the party did not have any permission to stage the protest.
The Congress members shouted slogans against the bills and the government and the police stopped them stating that they did not have any permission from the authorities. This led to a verbal duel between the police and the protestors. The police armed with bamboo sticks were ready to take action in case the protestors were not ready to listen. Finally, after two hours, the protestors agreed to leave the tractors separately without participating in the rally.
Earlier, the rally commenced from the Shivaji Maharaj Maidan.
Speaking to media persons, GPCC president Girish Chodankar expressed surprise over the entire episode.
“We don’t know what problem the CM has if we protest. When Congress was in power we did not use police force to agitations by the opposition. The bills introduced by the Centre are harmful to the farmers and that is the reason why today, onion prices are rising,” Chodankar informed.
“We denounce the act of the police and the government for stopping this peaceful rally. This is an insensitive government that has led the farmers and common man towards poverty,” Chodankar alleged.
