PANJIM: Goa Suraksha Manch (GSM) expressed anguish over the State government’s move to withdraw charges like attempt to murder against two priests and 20 villagers in the Velim Church attack case.
“The government had earlier promised to move ahead in the case as per the law but post elections, it has withdrawn its revision petition challenging the removal of Section 307 (attempt to murder) and 333 (causing grievous hurt to government servant) of IPC. This decision indicates the government is interfering with the judiciary and we condemn it,” GSM President Anand Shirodkar said on Wednesday.
He stated the law should be equal to all and government should not appease certain communities. “Whether it is a priest or whoever, law should be equal to all. The withdrawal of serious charges has further put the morale of the police down,” he stated.
GSM also came down heavily on TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai for his demand to ban the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and dared the government to take such a step. “VHP is not a terror organization. It is an outfit preaching good things and one should not forget that BJP is in power because of RSS and VHP,” Shirodkar said adding, “Sardesai should stop making statements to please his voters, particularly minority community.”
GSM also condemned a ban on the entry of Sri Ram Sene Chief Pramod Muthalik demanding that government should lift the ban. “Don’t pre-assume that there would be law and order problem with his entry to Goa,” Shirodkar said. The North Goa Collector recently renewed Muthalik and his group leaders’ ban period.
