Cong forms 6-member panel to study mining shutdown

the goan I network

PANAJI

Congress Legislative Party on Tuesday demanded a judicial inquiry into the lathicharge on mining-affected persons, who had gathered at Kranti Circle near Kadamba bus stand in Panaji on Monday even as the party formed a six-member sub-committee to study and seek legal opinion on how mining could resume in the State.

Speaking after an emergency meeting of the CLP convened to discuss the matter, CLP leader Chandrakant “Babu” Kavlekar stated, “Firstly, the government forced these people to come out on the road by endangering their livelihood. They were allowed to gather despite the imposition of Section 144 of CrPC and then when the situation got out of hand, they were beaten up mercilessly. This is total failure of law and order. Who ordered the lathicharge?”  Demanding a judicial inquiry into the incident, Kavlekar recalled that the inquiry into the lathicharge against agitating fishermen in 2016 had borne no fruit.  

Flanked by Tivim MLA Nilkanth Halarnkar and Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco, Kavlekar informed, “CLP has formed a six-member sub-committee to study and seek legal opinion on restarting mining at any cost. The government hasn’t made an honest effort and it has no concrete proposals. The review petition is being planned one and half months after the order. Draft of the petition should have been shown to the Opposition and all the stakeholders.”  

The CLP sub-committee on mining comprises former Chief Ministers Pratapsing Rane and Digambar Kamat, Reginaldo, Halarnkar, Kavlekar and Wilfred “Babashan” D’Sa.  

CLP disclosed that the report of this committee would be deliberated upon and discussed with the mining-affected persons before a final strategy is chalked out.   

Meanwhile, Reginaldo said, “None of the 16 Opposition constituencies have received the promised amount of Rs 25 crore for planned and Rs three crore for non-planned expenditure for the last financial year. No new work has begun. We have also set up a four-member sub-committee to study and report on the distribution of PWD works in the state.” 

Heavy police deployment continues

PANAJI: In order to prevent a  law and order situation similar to that of Monday, police maintained a  strict vigil in all areas to check any formation of unlawful crowd. Director General of Goa Police Dr Muktesh Chander  circulated a note to the Superintendents of Police of both districts  asking them to prevent the movement of protesters toward Panaji and to  avoid disruption of the flow of traffic on National Highway. Pickets were maintained across the  capital city since morning at entry points from Porvorim such as  Khandola Bridge, Banastari Bridge, Cortalim Bridge, Karaswada Bridge etc.