BJP MLAs to meet Speaker over Monserrate's arrest NT Staff Reporter
Panaji, Feb 22 The legislature wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party which met today morning, decided to call on the Speaker, Mr Pratapsingh Rane on February 25 to discuss the February 19 arrest of the Taleigao MLA, Mr Atanasio Monserrate, which was carried out without following any proper procedures required to be carried out in case of detention of a member of the House. The leader of the opposition, Mr Manohar Parrikar also wrote a letter to the Speaker bringing to his notice the "breach of privilege of the House" committed by the police who ransacked the house of Mr Monserrate on February 19. The letter said, "All my MLAs have expressed fears that similar tactics will be used against them." "That unless you as a custodian of the House steps in, the freedom enjoyed by MLAs is in danger of being lost," the letter says, adding "I, therefore, request you to order the Chief Secretary to conduct an inquiry into the incident and take necessary action against the erring officials." Meanwhile, Mr Parrikar briefing the press after the BJP legislature wing meeting, said that there are certain procedures to be followed before arresting a MLA, which were clearly violated on the night of February 19. "The delegation of the BJP MLAs calling on Mr Rane, will request him to initiate an action in this matter," he added. Speaking further, Mr Parrikar said that BJP not only demands a judicial probe into the entire February 19 episode, causes that led to the same, and the incidents following retaliation by the police, but also wants the senior police officials present during the attack as well as those connected with it, suspended till the completion of inquiry as they could interfere with the same. The leader of the opposition further alleged that a DySP present at the venue of the assault on the night of February 19, was in fact, the first person to throw a stone, which eventually led to the police retaliation. "He was the one who added fuel to the fire, and I have a witness for this act," Mr Parrikar stated while refusing to name the DySP. "Let the judicial inquiry find out about this person," he maintained. Mr Parrikar stated that the needle of suspicion is pointed towards the Home Minister, Mr Ravi Naik. "The BJP has apprehension that it was Mr Naik who ordered the attack on the elected representatives of the public," he noted, pointing out, "Mr Naik also visited the city police station on February 21 to make amends for what he had done." It was also informed that the BJP views the incidents from February 19 onwards in serious light as the police mentality, which may prove disastrous for any common man, can be clearly observed through the incidents. Replying to a question as to whether the BJP will raise the issue during the forthcoming budget session, the leader of the opposition counter questioned, "Will the budget session of the state assembly be held at all." Today is February 22 and I am yet to receive a communication about the convening of the budget session, he quipped. Answering another question, Mr Parrikar said that he has no idea as to whether the February 19 incidents would lead to the collapse of the state government. "You will have to ask others who are directly linked to this issue," he added. The Mapusa MLA, Mr Francis D'Souza and the Mandrem MLA, Mr Laxmikant Parsekar were also present on the occasion. http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=02234
