Panaji: Police on Thursday detained villagers of Karapur-Sarvan, most of them women, while they were marching to Azad Maidan to protest the House of Abhinandan Lodha (HoABL) luxury housing project in their village.
At least 20 villagers had attempted to march to Azad Maidan when police stopped them. The protesters then prostrated on the road, after which they were placed in a police bus and taken to the Old Goa police station. They were released following threats of a larger protest outside the police station. Police officers assured the protesters that no cases would be registered against them, and also agreed to arrange transport for those wishing to return home.
Environmentalist Swapnesh Sherlekar said the detention had no written order behind it. “It was a verbal order issued by the mamlatdar,” he said.
Opposition Condemns Detention
The detention drew swift condemnation from opposition leaders, who called it deeply ironic given the day’s significance. “The Portuguese were suppressing Goans, preventing them from speaking out. Today, 80 years later, Goans continue to be prevented from raising their voices,” said one villager.
GFP chief Vijai Sardesai called the action “particularly disturbing”, saying June 18 symbolised resistance against oppression. “On this very day, BJP govt is using police machinery to silence citizens exercising their democratic right to protest,” he said.
Congress president Girish Chodankar condemned the detentions as a “shameful assault on democracy”, questioning why govt feared a group of peaceful villagers. “Arresting villagers will not bury the truth. It will only strengthen the resolve of people fighting to protect Goa,” he said.
Background of the Protest
The villagers, who have been agitating for over 71 days demanding a stop-work order against the HoABL project, had escalated their protest after the GSEIAA failed to reach a decision on whether the project required an environmental clearance.
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