Porvorim: Speaker Ganesh Gaonkar has lifted the lifetime ban imposed on four men, Mirabag protesters, from entering the assembly after they displayed placards from the visitors’ gallery.However, Gaonkar made it clear that the reprieve would not last if “the persons concerned “ committed similar violations or disrupted assembly proceedings in the future. Gaonkar made it a point to state that the protesters were associates of Goa Forward Party MLA Vijai Sardesai.“I have now given thoughtful consideration to the entire matter, taking into account that the persons concerned are not habitual violators and keeping in consonance with democratic principles, and as a matter of leniency and sympathetic consideration, I have decided to revoke the earlier order and accordingly the order stands revoked,” said Gaonkar.On March 6, four residents from Mirabag village shouted slogans and displayed placards from the Goa assembly visitors’ gallery against the proposed bandhara project in their village. The protesters, who were detained for staging the protest, were felicitated by Sardesai after their release.Gaonkar, who had passed the order to bar their entry into the assembly complex, said that the four had indulged in indiscipline and interference in the proceedings of the House.“While extending such leniency, I consider it necessary to caution the persons concerned that they shall not repeat any such acts or engage in misconduct within or around the precincts of the assembly in the future. Any recurrence of such misconduct will invite strict disciplinary and legal action. I trust that all concerned will respect and uphold the sanctity of the house,” said Gaonkar.
