VASCO: Vasco residents have unanimously demanded that the investigation into Fr Bismarque Dias’ death be handed over to the CBI or Crime Branch or SIT. During a candlelight vigil in his memory on Thursday, they said that Fr Bismarque was very passionate about taking up issues on behalf of the people and claimed that he would never have been so irresponsible with his life.
“Fr Bismarque was an active person who was very passionate about being the voice of Goa. There is no doubt that he wasn’t irresponsible with his own life to die like this. We want justice for him. We know for a fact that whistleblowers in this county are not safe. Fr Bismarque was a whistleblower from Goa,” said Sujata Bose, coordinator of the candlelight vigil.
She added, “There are very few people who have the guts to stand up and fight on behalf of the people. It is high time that people wake up and raise their voices without being afraid. It is sad to say, but it’s also true that Fr Bismarque, whose mission was to wake people up, achieved the same through his death. Together, we now vouch to continue his legacy.”
Parish Priest of St Andrews Church, Fr Gabriel Coutinho, said that Fr Bismarque’s mysterious death needs a thorough probe as the people of Goa want to know what happened to him. He added, “If there is anything mischievous in his death, then we are not going to keep quite. We will give our lives, but we will not allow gundagiri in Goa.”
Fr Michael Fernandes said that circumstantial evidence ruled out death by drowning. He continued, “The police should have seized and checked the mobile phones of those two persons who were seen with him last. The police have also not taken any cognizance of the threats to Fr Bismarque, which makes us feel that the investigation is not heading in the right direction. If it is proved that he was murdered, we will intensify our protest till the culprits are nabbed and punished.”
