Goa Federation of Mines Affected People (GOAMAP) has demanded the immediate withdrawal of cases filed against those arrested including an 85-year-old woman, Ms Dora D'Souza, her daughter-in-law, Ms Cheryl D'Souza, Ms Rita Fernandes, Ms Shashikala Devidas, Ms Robert Pinto, Mr Kurush Canteenwala, Fr Mathias D'Cunha and Mr Sebastian Rodrigues and the immediate suspension of police inspector, Mr Santos Dessai attached to Quepem police station for collaborating with a group indulgingin violence.

Quepem police arrested them on the charge that they were blocking the road to a mine in Maina, Quepem. One of the arrested, Fr Mathias in a signed statement has said that he was abused by some of the people assembled there in the presence of the police.

Mr Pravin Sabnis of the GBA who was present for the press conference said that he would complain to their higher ups and also take it to the Human Rights Commission. Ms Cheryl, the daughter of the 85-year-old who was arrested said that they had come on the roads because they had no other choice.

Full Report: http://www.navhindtimes.com/story.php?story=2008101511