Police file "incitement" case against GMAS chief Saldanha

Panaji, Dec 25 (UNI) Digambar Kamat government has filed a criminal suo moto complaint against coordinator of the Goa's Movement Against SEZs (GMAS) and former tourism minister Mathanhy Saldanha for allegedly ''attempting to incite violence'' to disrupt peace and tranquility in this international tourist destination.

Disclosing this to UNI here this evening, Inspector General of Police (crime) Kishan Kumar said the complaint was registered under Section 505(b) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and it would take its own course.

The case, he said, was filed with the Panjim police station last evening, based on the reports in a section of media. Mr Saldanha on Sunday had called the tourists to go back after December 28 as the anti-SEZ agitation would take ''an ugly turn''.

Reacting to the news, Mr Saldanha said he was ready to face any situation, come what may, to save Goa and its future.

He claimed that he never tried to incite the public but said the GMAS would engage in civil disobedience movement in support of its demand for scrapping of all the special economic zones to save Goa for future.

He further ridiculed the government for sparing real robbers, including some politicians, who defrauded Goa for selfish gains and were moving freely.

It may be recalled that the government yesterday reacted sharply to Mr Saldanha's statement. Terming it as ''anti-Goan'', it said it would not spare anybody who wanted to take law into their own hands.

It sought deployment of three companies of Central para military forces, in addition to the existing reserve batallions, to ensure peace in the state.

UNI