NT NETWORK
PANAJI
The state government has appointed Swapnil Naik, Collector (South Goa) to conduct inquiry into the alleged incident of lathi-charge on the traditional fishermen in the city, last week.
The Home Department in its order issued on Tuesday has directed the Collector to submit the inquiry report within a period of 30 days.
In its order, the department has asked the inquiry officer to find out whether there was any incident of lathi-charge on the people demanding ban on fishing using LED lights on May 12, near fisheries jetty, at Panaji; whether the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) had ordered lathi-charge, and if there was lathi-charge and if no such order was issued by the SDM, the official who issued the orders for lathi-charge, if any.
In its order the department has also asked the inquiry officer to look into circumstances that led to such order of lathi-charge, if any, and also to look into any other issues that may arise during the course of enquiry.
Various representatives of traditional fisherman had met the Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar and expressed their views on lathi-charge on the people demanding ban on fishing using LED lights.
“It is their (representatives of fishermen) contention that they had gathered to know the action taken by the government to ban fishing by using LED lights, and therefore the lathi-charge by police was unwarranted,” the order reads.
“The government is of the view that clear facts on the incident are to be brought out and therefore the matter needs to be inquired impartially,” the order reads further.
The government therefore deems it fit and proper to order magisterial inquiry into the matter, states the order issued by the department.