PONDA: Four more persons arrested on Thursday morning, in connection with the assault of three persons over the cutting of mangroves at Panchwadi in Ponda on Wednesday, were released on bail following an order from the Ponda judicial magistrate first class (JMFC) on Thursday evening.
The three persons arrested on Wednesday were also released on bail early Thursday following orders from the JMFC. Ponda PSI Sanjay Dalvi said that the police had arrested Agostino Costa, 43, Laurence Costa, 43, Johnson Costa, 40 and Fidlis Costa, 46, residents of Panchwadi, Shiroda, on Thursday morning. They were later released. Meanwhile, the Goa Federation of Mines Affected People (GOAMAP) has strongly condemned the 'illegal' cutting of mangroves and physical assault on people in Panchwadi. The mangroves were cut to benefit a mining company, alleged GOAMAP. Gina Ferns
