MARGAO
In a late night development, the police lathicharged protestors at the Old Market circle, Margao, who were demanding the arrest of Subhash Velingkar.
The police detained a couple of protestors, including Fidol, one of the leaders, who was leading the protests.
What triggered the lathichage remains unknown, but the police action came minutes after activist Pratima Coutinho had temporarily called off the protest for the day.
A number of two-wheelers which were parked by the protestors around the area were damaged by the policemen and were all seen strewn around.
The police were seen detaining the protestors after the lathicharge.
Activist Fidol told The Goan that she has been assaulted by the police without any reason. "They have detained me and have taken my mobile", she said.
DySP Santosh Desai justified the police action saying the protestors did not leave the area and were still blocking the road even after the leaders called off the agitation.
That the police were bracing up for major action against the protestors had become evident when a huge police force in riot gear was mobilized at the old market circle earlier in the evening.
