Cases against 37 villagers false, withdraw them: Poriem locals

Valpoi: A dispute from few months ago near the Bhumika Temple at Poriem in Sattari taluka has once again sparked controversy. Over 500 Poriem villagers gathered at the Valpoi police station on Thursday evening demanding that the cases filed against 37 villagers be withdrawn.

Locals claim that cases were falsely filed by Valpoi police against them in connection to the protest at the temple few months ago. Locals said that they had received summons and have a court hearing on July 25.

Due to this sudden gathering, the situation grew tense at Valpoi. There were heated arguments between Valpoi PI Videsh Shirodkar and Poriem villagers. The villagers questioned Shirodkar on what basis the false cases have been filed against the villagers.

Shirodkar told the villagers to hire an advocate for their cases. On hearing this, the villagers become furious and said that they have not committed any crime and would not hire an advocate. They blamed the police for not doing a proper inquiry and filing false cases.

“The villagers protested a few months ago to protect the temple. There were over 4,000 people present at the time but the police failed to identify the people and have falsely blamed 37 villagers,” a villager said.

After Poriem MLA Deviya Rane said that she had discussed the issue with chief minister Pramod Sawant, who responded favorably , the residents withdrew their protest. Sawant has called a meeting on Friday with the villagers.