PANJIM: The South Goa Collector on Thursday partially relaxed Section 144 CrPC clamped at Murdi-Khandepar in Ponda taluka after the residents staged sit-in protest at the Azad Maidan, Panjim demanding withdrawal of the prohibitory orders in view of ensuing Ganesh Chaturthi festival.
They also went to the office of the Goa Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and opposed the proposed Bandhara project at Murdi-Khandepar.
The protesters alleged that the Ponda Deputy Collector was misusing his authority by imposing Section 144 CrPC, mistreating residents belonging to ST communities and disrupting their daily lives. They demanded that the Section 144 be withdrawn before the ensuing Ganesh Chaturthi festival in the Sateri temple.
The villagers also demanded action against the Deputy Collector claiming that he was one of the interested parties and alleged that he and his family members were involved in harassing the ST communities.
“South Goa Collector be informed to withdraw the section 144 CrPC due to Ganesh Chaturthi festival starting next week so as to perform various religious activities in the Sateri temple and there should be action against the Deputy Collector as he is the interested party,” Rama Kankonkar said, adding that the residents will stage protest in front of the Chief Minister’s official residence at Altinho during Ganesh Chaturthi, if the prohibitory orders were not withdrawn.
Kankonkar further alleged that Khandeparkar and his family members were involved in harassing the Scheduled Tribes communities and villagers of Khandepar by misusing power.
Later, an addendum was issued by the South Goa Collector stating that the prohibitory orders will not be applicable to public servants on duty and to bonafide marriage or funeral processions or religious processions/ functions. This will come into force with immediate effect.
The South Goa District Magistrate had issued the prohibitory order under Section 144 CrPC on August 17 this year in view of the protest by residents of Murdi-Khandepar to the construction of the bandhara. The order had prohibited the assembly and gathering of five or more people within radius of village Murdiwada, Khandepar, Sonarbag, Usgao Goa from August 18 till the completion of work within these villages under the jurisdiction of Ponda police station.
