7 arrested as protestors turn violent at Ambaulim

NT NETWORK
Posted on 2008-12-18
MARGAO- Seven persons including two women were arrested on Wednesday afternoon by the Quepem police as the local people staging a ‘rasta roko’ at Ambaulim to prevent mining trucks from proceeding by the road, turned violent and pelted stones at the police personnel and nearly assaulting deputy collector, Mr Venancio Fernandes.
The people were protesting against dust pollution resulting from plying of mining trucks. Seven policemen including  two head constables  and five police constables attached to the Quepem police station were injured in the
incident.
When contacted, the Quepem police station in-charge, police inspector, Mr Santosh Dessai, disclosed that the seven persons who are presently in the lock up, were arrested for unlawful assembly, threat to kill government servants while performing their lawful duties, and restraining government servants as well as the general public under Sections 143,147,504,506(2) and 341 of the Indian Penal Code.
Sources disclosed that the incident occurred at around 12 noon, when one among around 100 persons gathered to stage ‘rasta roko’ pushed the deputy collector, Mr Venancio Fernandes as well as the police personnel when they tried to see reason with the agitators.
Asked as to why some students and people from the area resorted to this sudden 'rasta rokho,' the deputy collector said that the people were demanding that a notification be issued regarding the timing for trucks that carry ore.
He further said that the trucks were following the right timing adding that care was taken to see that no dust pollution was caused.
According to Quepem police, they received information at around 9 a.m. that  traffic on the Ambaulim road has been blocked by a crowd. The police inspector, Mr Santosh Dessai along with rushed to the site and requested the crowed to open the road, however, the crowd did not respond. Later, the matter was brought to the notice of the mamlatdar, Mr Natu  and deputy collector, Mr Venancio Fernandes.
The deputy collector also said that there was no lathi charge as rumoured in some quarters.