Panaji: Several protestors were detained outside Azad Maidan in Panaji on Sunday who were on the way to participate in the protest called by Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) demanding resignation of Chief Election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Strong police presence was kept outside the Azad Maidan in Panaji Sunday ahead of the scheduled protest demanding resignation of the chief of the election body over Special Intensive Revision row.
When the protestors started gathering at Azad Maidan in Panaji in the afternoon, the police started detaining them. Several protesters including their leader Amreen Shaikh was detained by police and taken into custody.
“We don’t know how many of them are detained because they were lifting everyone who was heading to Azad Maidan,” said a CJP protestor.
Despite the police action, several senior leaders reached outside Azad Maidan, who were stopped from entering the premises by state administration in presence of Superintendent of Police (North) Harish Madkaikar.
Those who were present included veteran lawyers Claud and Norma Alvares, former chief justice of Allahabad high court Justice Ferdin Rebello, activists Swapnesh Sherlekar, Govind Shirodkar and others.
Rebello, who heads “Enough Is Enough” movement in the state, said that he has asked the Administration to show the law which stops the citizens from entering Azad maidan, which is home for the memorial of martyrs.
“The freedom fighters fought for the liberation of Goa and now we are fighting for freedom from misuse of power by the election commission. There is no offence to enter Azad Maidan,” he said.
As the police stopped the protestors from entering Azad Maidan, the protests continued on the main road, opposite Police headquarters in Panaji city.
