from Sanjay Borkar
for Daijiworld Media Network - Margao (GA)
Margao, Jun 28: Police arrested around 16 people, out of which 4 are Bajrang Dal activists and one councilor, in connection with vandalizing the shops of Gandhi Market, Main Market and other business offices on Friday June 27 late evening. Section 144 has been clamped for 24 hours from Friday 6 pm to Saturday June 28 as a precautionary method.
The riot-like situation erupted in the city after members of two communities clashed with each other in the afternoon following an eve-teasing incident. Hindu community had demanded the arrest of culprit. However, as police failed to arrest the culprit, mob headed by Bajrang Dal activists allegedly vandalized almost 30 to 40 shops and business offices and also damaged vehicles.
According to South Goa Collector Gokuldas Naik, one Mahantesh Reggie along with his two friends first assaulted Damodar Bepade at Davorlim, about 5 kms from here for teasing a girl. A Panch member Nissar Killedar who was passing from the same way saw this and asked Mahantesh the reason behind assaulting Damodar. Irked by this Mahantesh even attacked Killedar. This news spread immediately and reached the neighbourhoood of Killedar rapidly. In order to avenge attack on Killedar, his neighbours and friends went to Mahantesh's house and attacked it. But little did both the groups know that their personal rivalry had ignited communal tension in the area.
When South Goa collector Naik was asked whether Mahantesh had any specific relation with the said girl, he refused to divulge any details. Even South Goa SP Shekhar Prabhudesai admitted that he is not aware of any relation between the two. But he added that one Rafiq was present with Damodar when Mahantesh assaulted the latter.
Police officers on condition of anonymity said that the Rafiq is behind eve-teasing which ultimately gave rise to communal tension.
As police failed to arrest the culprits of eve-teasing and attack on Mahantesh's house, Bajrang Dal activists gathered in large number at a holy place Pimpalkatta-Margao and shouted anti-minority community slogans. Then the mob started to ransack shops situated in the vicinity. No sooner they started pelting stones, police force was deployed there with a view to quell the situation. Police even had to resort to mild caning to disperse the mob.
Bajrang Dal south Goa convener Jayesh Naik, Sushant Manerkar, Nikhil Borkar and Suhas Borkar were arrested by police in connection with vandalizing the shops. Later in the evening police has arrested Rafiq Karji (24), Damodar Vakode (26), Nissar Killedar (38), Mahentesh Reggie (23), Basavraj Reggie, Nithin Bhosle, Gaurish naik, Rajesh Tandel, Gangadhar Tandel, Ajay Chavan, Amit Chavan and Councilor Raju Shirodkar in this connection.
Around 12 police inspectors of south Goa along with their concerned police station staff were deployed in and around Margao. The local Hindu organizations have given call for Margao bundh on Saturday.
Bajjrang Dal and RSS activist have criticized the state government and have leveled allegation that the Digamber Kamat-led government in Goa is safeguarding the culprits of minority community.