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Goa controversy continues to rage

Sandesh Prabhudesai in Panaji

The Meta Strips controversy has suddenly grown in magnitude with the Goa Chief Minister Francisco Sardinha today stating that he did not arrive at any agreement with the agitators, except on the halting of work at the factory.

Meanwhile, Meta Strips management has threatened to challenge the closure order issued yesterday evening by the chief secretary, if it goes beyond a fortnight.

Goa, otherwise, remained calm without any untoward incident being reported.

The Anti Meta Strips Citizens Action Committee, or AMSCAC, whose 15 activists have still not withdrawn their hunger strike after 12 days, is firm on taking inventory of the machinery. The company is opposed to this.

Justifying the objection raised by the company for the inventory of the machinery before it is closed down, the chief minister claimed that the minutes of the agreement circulated yesterday by his office were wrongly drafted.

The minutes stated that the government had agreed to take inventory. The chief minister, however, now says it was simply one of the demands put forth and not one that was accepted.

A V Parekh, president of Meta Strips, has submitted a memorandum to the government to the effect that they have to keep at least 115 employees inside the factory even if the production and construction is stopped, for security, maintenance and administrative work.

"We agree with the closure in order to stop the ongoing agitation. We, however, intend to challenge the order, if the government closes the factory beyond 15 days," Parekh said.

"Let them go to the court. Our order is fully legal and it has been issued in larger public interest to arrest the law and order situation," Sardinha countered.

The order stated that the construction and production work at Meta Strips would be stopped forthwith until further orders.

Meanwhile, AMSCAC general secretary Nelson Fernandes, said, "We will not withdraw the hunger strike unless the factory is actually closed and the inventory is taken."

Peace returns to Goa

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