Quepem remain tense today over the issued of the arrest of 8 environmentalists by the Quepem police over the alleged incident of forming unlawful assembly at Cavrem on Saturday. Quepem police today arrested Sherel D'Souza, her 80 years old mother Dora D'Souza, Rita Fernandes, Robert Pinto all from Maina Cavrem, Seby Rodrigues from Siolim, Kurush Canteenwala from Pune, and father Mathew D'Cunha of Don Bosco Quepem over the charges of forming unlawful assembly, trespass and criminal intimidation.
That morning Sherel D'Souza, her mother, her 8 years-old daughter and their servant sat on a protest at Cavrem by tying their age old mother Dora D'Souza with a chain on the kacha road leading to Tarkar mine and which started at around 9.30AM. At about 10.00 AM, around 30 villagers from Colomb appeared at the spot in a bus mostly comprising ladies and joined the peaceful protest by Sherel and her family.
Environmentalists Seby Rodrigues, Father Mathias and Sherel's friend Kurush Canteenwala from Pune, who had come to Goa to make a film also came at the spot but remained on the main road leading to Pirla.
The Mine officials appeared at the spot and asked about the problem to which Sherel stated that they are protesting the destruction forest land. In the meantime, hundreds of truck drivers, who were at the mine also appeared at the spot. Speaking to reporter P.I. Santosh Dessai, he stated that the protesters were requested by him to move out from the place but they did not. Sherel D'Souza stated in her complaint filed before the Quepem police that around 3.00 Quepem police appeared at the spot . That in the presence of Quepem police they have been attacked by the mine drivers who were instigated by the contractor and the local representatives.
The Photographers namely Seby Rodrigues and Kurush Canteenwala who were present and taking snaps were attacked by the drivers. Seby Rodrigues in his complaint has stated that he has been attacked by the Z.P. Member Subhash Dessai. He also stated that the truck driver snatched his camera and bag which was carrying and damaged the Camera and the bag. Police arrested all the protester including the minor daughter of Sherel- Akki D'Souza- put them in the police jeep and brought them at the police station and booked them under different offences.
Meantime all the truck drivers and contractors appeared at the police station and the police also attached the two vehicles of Sherel D'souza. The truck driver , contractor who were present at the police made a hue that in both the vehicles of Sherel there are weapons and other dangerous substance. The police then checked the both the vehicles. That from one vehicle recovered one knife and from the diky 2 small iron roads and a broken coita while from the other vehicle police recovered a knife.
Speaking to reporters Sherel stated that the knife that was found was for her safety as she moves alone in the night and she has to pass through a hilly area to go to her house.
Meanwhile villagers from Colomb, Banaulim, Fr. Mevrick and his team, Don Bosco Officials made their presence at the police station to show their solidarity. Those arrested refuse to move any bail application. GAKUVED President Durgadas Gaonkar who had come to the police station condemned the way the police handle the situation and for arresting the innocent people.
Meanwhile police from Curchorem, Margao, and GRPF was stationed at the police station. Deputy Collector Vanancio Furtado , Dy. SP Rohidas Patre made their presence at the police station.
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