Panaji: The Goa police have asked organisers of a series of student protests in the coastal state about the money behind the events and the “intent” of the demonstrations, after pro-Umar Khalid slogans were allegedly raised, officials said on Thursday, PTI reported.
Last week, the Goa police detained two youths for allegedly showing support for jailed student activist Umar Khalid during celebrations over Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.
Khalid has been arrested in connection with the 2020 northeast Delhi riots case.
The police had also questioned the organisers of two protests in Mapusa and Panaji last week that had demanded Pradhan’s resignation.
Officials said both events were organised by NGO Uzvaad.
A local group, ‘Citizens of Mapusa’, had lodged a police complaint objecting to pro-Khalid placards.
On Wednesday, the Panaji police summoned Amreen Shaikh, secretary of the NGO that organised the gatherings.
Shaikh was not available for comment, but sources said the investigating officer asked around 240 questions, largely focused on the funding for the protest and the alleged purpose behind raising slogans in support of Umar Khalid.
According to a source, “The investigating officer asked Shaikh questions such as: ‘Who was leading the protest? Are you a member of any WhatsApp, Telegram, or Signal group related to the protest? How did you travel to the venue? What did you intend to achieve through the protest? Are you associated with any political party, social organisation, or student organisation?”
When contacted, Superintendent of Police (North Goa) Harischandra Madkaikar said on Thursday that the probe was launched following a complaint by a group.
“The questions that were asked were basically part of the investigation,” he said, adding that the organisers were allowed to leave after the questioning.