Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Allegations of political vendetta and misuse of police machinery intensified on Monday after Advocate Amit Palekar and Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP) President Manoj Parab accused the state government of escalating tensions during last week’s 39A protest and targeting activists through legal action.
Addressing the media, Adv Amit Palekar alleged that the police escalated the situation during the 39A protest held at Dona Paula. He claimed that the unlawful assembly case was filed by the state “on its own” and further alleged that the offence was registered at the behest of the Chief Minister.
“The protest was peaceful. The escalation happened because of the police action,” Palekar said, terming the case politically motivated.
Meanwhile, RGP President Manoj Parab appeared before the Panaji Police Station on Monday after being summoned in connection with last week’s protests against 39A in the capital city. Speaking to reporters outside the police station, Parab termed the cases filed against protesters as “harassment” and a waste of time.
He said such actions were not new and recalled similar instances during the IIT protest, alleging that the government was attempting to threaten and silence those raising their voices against controversial policies.
Parab also launched a sharp attack on the 39A provision, claiming that Old Goa tops the list in land conversions under 39A, with Thivim ranking second. He alleged large-scale land conversions and demanded that the provision be scrapped altogether.
“We demand that 39A be scrapped, and all MLAs must oppose this provision,” Parab said, reiterating that the protest movement would continue.
