RULES NOT VIOLATED REITERATES MANOHAR PARRIKAR

PANJIM: Breaking his silence on the issue of entering the police lock-up along with 13 others without the required permissions to meet those accused in the Balli violence case, opposition leader Manohar Parrikar claimed he had not violated any rules.

"I did not break the law. I have not entered any prohibited area," he said, when mediapersons quizzed him on the Wednesday night incident, on the sidelines of Goa Revolution Day function at Azad Maidan, Panjim. "If any area is beyond limits, they should put up a board there specifying the same. There is no such board in the police precinct," he said, trying to defend himself.

After initially trying to dodge queries on the issue, Parrikar said, "You'll should go inside and see for yourselves. For some reason, they have shifted the lock-up. I do not know where the new lock-up is." "Do you'll know where it is?" Parrikar asked mediapersons.

"The police have become indisciplined. If they were probing the issue, they should have contacted me first. The DGP contacted me later and when I asked him what the issue was, he said I had not followed protocol. I told him I do not believe in following protocol and would like to be treated as a common man. I do not need to give short notice for visiting someone," he added.

He was apparently referring to DGP Aditya Arya's statement on Thursday. Arya had said that the next time the opposition leader wants to meet anyone in the police lock-up, he should inform the police and that he would be provided with an escort as protocol demands.

When pressed further, Parrikar maintained, "I was escorted to the premises by police officials. I do not carry an umbrella, and as it was raining a police official held the umbrella for me. You should ask those officials." However, the Panjim MLA refused to name any officials.

Parrikar further stated, "When Babush (Atanasio) Monserrate was imprisoned, so many people visited him (in the Panjim lock up). Did all of them seek permissions?"