BICHOLIM: Bicholim police on Saturday arrested six persons for agitating near Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue circle in Bicholim and for using foul language against former MLA Naresh Sawal.
The six were arrested following a complaint lodged by Bicholim Bachao Abhiyan secretary Naresh Kadkade late night on Friday. The accused have been remanded in police custody for two days.
Police identified the arrested persons as Bicholim block Congress Committee President Meghshyam Raut, Bicholim Youth Congress Committee President Manoj Naik, Shivpremi group leader Upendra Malik, Sada Ghadi, Darshan Raut and Nitin Parab.
According to the complainant, a mob unlawfully gathered near Shivaji statue circle, used foul language against Sawal and also displayed swords publicly to people. The complaint also reads that mob threatened Sawal with dire consequences if he does not apologise within 24 hours.
The issue is related to a letter submitted by Sawal to PWD roads section about obstruction to vehicular traffic, possibilities of major accidents and occurrence of minor accidents due to the installation of Shivaji statue near Shantadurga High School Circle in Bicholim.
In his letter, Sawal mentioned that it would not be possible to repair underground water pipeline due to installation of Shivaji statue above it. This letter triggered the protest on Friday where the protesters threatened Sawal with dire consequences.
Following this, Kadkde filed a complaint and police arrested Nitin Parab late night on Friday, while the other five surrendered early morning.
On Saturday morning, Sawal’s supporters marched to the police station demanding stern punishment for the accused.
The arrested persons have been booked under Sections 143, 145, 504, 506.
