MARGAO: The Railway Protection Force (RPF) Vasco has upped the ante against the anti-coal activists by filing a second set of offences against them, in connection with an anti-coal hub protest that had taken place in Arossim. This time, they have named Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas as one of the accused persons.
The RPF has already filed a chargesheet against a handful of protestors who were among the thousands who had participated in a two-day public protest in Chandor in November 2020. While that first case is presently being heard at the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Margao, the second case in connection with the Arrosim protest will be heard by the JMFC Vasco. There are 11 people who have been named in the Arrosim case, including Cecille Rodrigues, Diana Tavares, Vikas Bhagat and Freddy Travasso.
The offences in both these cases have been filed under various sections of the Railway Act 1989, while the Maina-Curtorim police have also filed a chargesheet in connection with the Chandor protest, under the IPC. Adv Ohm Stanley, who is representing some of the accused like activist Abhijit Prabhudessai in all three cases, said they will receive the chargesheet in the Arossim matter only on December 17, the first day of the hearing at JMFC Vasco.
“This summons has suddenly appeared from the 2020 coal protest. My performance, my honesty and courage against the useless ministers seems to have rattled BJP. I am always with the people for issues of Goa and people are always with me against such intimidation tactics,’ said Viegas, while reacting to the development.
“The governments continue to be slaves of crony capitalists hell bent on killing all life on earth for a few pieces of coal. The people will rise and defend the future generations and planet, and ill-intended cases against peaceful protestors will only strengthen the will of the people,” Prabhudesai told Herald.
