the goan I network
MARGAO
Women’s and child rights activist Auda Viegas on Thursday announced her decision to stage an indefinite hunger strike in front of the Margao police station from December 13 against the indifference of the police and authorities to make available spacious premises for the Women Police Station and Anti-Human Trafficking cell.
This is the second time in the last four years that the activist will be staging a hunger strike in this regard.
Addressing the media, Auda appealed to the concerned citizens of Margao and South Goa to join her on December 13 outside the Margao police station at 10 am.
What has agitated the activist was the fact that after a long-drawn struggle, the authorities finally agreed to provide only 22 sqmts of space in the old Collectorate to house the women police station.
“Presently, the women police station and anti-human trafficking cell is operating from Margao district police headquarters in an area admeasuring 33 sqmts. We have been asking for spacious premises to ensure that victim women or children get the counselling and privacy to confide in the investigating officer,” she said, adding, “it would be better if the police station continues to be housed at the existing South Goa headquarters than the Collectorate, which was earlier earmarked for talathis.”
“The Chief Secretary, DGP and district police had all agreed to provide adequate space. But, we certainly did not expect a mere 22 sqmts in the old Collectorate,” she said, adding that she will continue her hunger strike if the authorities fail to address the genuine demands of the women police station and the anti-human trafficking cell.
