By our special correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji (SP)
 
Panaji, Jan 26:  Goa's Congress legislator Agnelo Fernandes and about 200 others were arrested on Monday January 26, after they marched in protest towards the venue of the Republic Day celebrations in the city here.
 
The legislator was protesting under the banner of 'River Princess Hatao Manch', demanding for the immediate removal of the huge cargo ship which has run aground on North Goa's Candolim shore.
 
Fernandes was arrested under section 151 of Criminal Procedure Code, as he did not possess permission to hold protest march in the city," sub divisional magistrate Sabhaji Shetye told the reporters.
 
He said that the protestors were arrested to stop them from disturbing the Republic Day parade.
 
River Princess Hatao Manch, a NGO, has begun n agitation in the state demanding the removal of the ship which is feared to result into ecological disaster.
 
The protestors were arrested at Panaji's ferry wharf, almost two kilometers away from the Republic Day function, when they were walking with placards in hand. The Republic Day function was attended by Goa Governor S S Sidhu, chief minister Digamber Kamat and other dignitaries.
 
Fernandes talking to PTI, said that the protestors had no intention to sabotage the Republic Day parade. "We would have squatted peacefully at the parade venue with placards in hand. This was a peaceful silent protest," the legislator representing Calangute constituency said.
 
He said that 12 of the leaders of protestors were forcefully dumped into a bus by the policemen first, following which, all the other protestors courted arrest.
 
Demanding that the state government immediately get Candolim coast rid of the cargo ship, which has been haunting the port for the last eight years, Fernandes said that 'there will be lot of surprises in terms of agitation.'
 
The legislator said that they had sought permission to hold the protest march, which was denied last night.