Hunger strike against Police inaction today in Quepem

The Quepem Taluka Mining Affected Peoples Front have decided to hold a hunger strike at the Quepem Police on Friday 30th April in protest against the inaction of police and failure to arrest the accused Eupociano Pereira and Soccor D’Costa for attacking reporter John Fernandes when John was in the custody of the police of the Quepem police station.

This was decided at the Front emergency meeting held on 28th April in their office at Quepem.

The FRONT, on 26th April submitted a memorandum to the P.I. Quepem Copy of which were also submitted to the S.P. South and the District Magistrate demanding action against the duo within 48 hours failing which the Front have warned that they will agitate/demonstrate before the Quepem Police Station, to see that Justice prevails and Rule of Law is maintained by the law enforcement authorities. The deadline of which expired on Wednesday morning.

In a press note issued by the Front Convenor Adv. Fredrek Pereria stated that though the offence of attacking at the police is very serious and cannot be taken lightly. However bowing to the pressured of the Front the Quepem Police headed by Sudesh Narvekar booked the duo under section 107 of Cr.P.C.(chapter case) that too without arresting the duo. The Front convener stated “this is eyewash just to pacify us.”

That being aggrieved by the inaction of the Quepem police to act against the duo, the Front members have decided to sit for a day long hunger strike in front of the Quepem police station from 9.00 to 5.00PM demanding arrest of the duo and justice to John Fernandes . They appeal to all mining affected people of Quepem to join the hunger strike.