MARGAO
After two days of protests and road blockades in Margao, the epicenter of the agitation demanding FIR and arrest of Subhash Velingkar over his comments against St Francis Xavier, protestors finally called off their agitation on Sunday noon after making a token presence at the Old market circle.
They, however, unveiled the legal plan of action to file an intervention application before the Court to oppose the anticipatory bail plea filed by Subhash Velingkar. Velingkar’s anticipatory bail plea comes up for hearing before the North Goa Sessions Court on Monday.
Resuming the protests at the Old market circle on Sunday morning, social activist Pratima Coutinho called off the stir around noon in view of the appeal made by the Church body, the Council for Social Justice and peace to maintain peace and calm.
As compared to the last two days and against the backdrop of the police lathi-charge on the protesters late Saturday night, only a few assembled near the Old market circle on Sunday morning. The Goa police, however, were mobilized in strength as a precautionary measure and to send a strong message to the protestors that they mean business and would not tolerate any road blockade on the busy Old market-KTC bus stand road.
In fact, the police led by Sub-divisional police officer, DySP Santosh Desai made it clear to the protestors led by Pratima Coutinho and husband Savio Coutinho that no protester will be allowed to stand on the road. DySP Desai told Pratima that they may continue their stir along the road side.
After raising slogans demanding the arrest of Subhash Velingkar and demanding justice in the case, Pratima announced the decision to call off the stir in view of the appeal made by the CSJP. “I respect the appeal made by CSJP. Hence, the stir is being called off. I request the people not only at Margao but across the state to call off the agitation and maintain peace”, Pratima said.
She, however, warned the government headed by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant that the agitation to protect Goa and its land resources will continue unabated. “If the Chief Minister and Subhash Velingkar think we have called off the stir because we are scared of them, they are sadly mistaken. We will not be cowed down by threats. We will continue our battle to save Goa and the people of Goa”, she thundered before she and protesters dispersed from the place.
