Daijiworld Media Network – Canacona

Canacona, May 2: Tension gripped South Goa's Canacona town on Friday after three Pakistani flags were found painted on public roads, triggering outrage among residents and political leaders.

Goa Legislative Assembly Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar, who represents the Canacona constituency, led a group of concerned citizens to the local police station and filed a formal complaint against unknown persons responsible for the act.

The complaint, submitted on behalf of the general public, stated that the flags were discovered at three different locations within the jurisdiction of the Canacona Municipal Council, and demanded swift action under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita.

"Kindly take appropriate action against the unknown persons or culprits, and investigation may be carried out as per the law," the complaint stated.

The incident also drew sharp criticism from the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee, with its vice president Sunil Kawthankar calling it a disgraceful act. “The Pakistani flags should never have been painted on Indian soil. If someone wanted to protest, they should have done it openly and publicly, not secretly at night,” Kawthankar said, demanding that the flags should have been burnt instead, as a mark of protest against Pakistan.

Local police have launched an investigation into the incident, with forensic teams deployed to examine the painted symbols. The matter is being treated with utmost seriousness, officials said.