PANJIM: On Wednesday, former sarpanch and current panch of Mandrem Mahesh Konadkar was brutally assaulted by five masked men. Earlier, activist Dr Inacio Fernandes was assaulted during Anjuna Gram Sabha for raising environmental concerns. Similar instances have occurred at Taleigao and other gram sabhas. In this edition of Street Voices, Herald TV spoke to people on whether violence has become a way of settling issues at the village level?
This is happening all over Goa. Everywhere, anyone who raises his voice on issues is beaten up. Violence in Goa has increased. This is because those in the BJP are outside goondas. Those who used to create goondagiri and fights at the police station. Such people have become ministers. So after this what do you expect?
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Francis Coelho, Theatrical Production Specialist
Law and order situation ( in Mandrem) has gone bad after the present MLA has been elected and who is supporting the Government. In Anjuna, a doctor who raised public issues is beaten in front of the police and nothing happens. Now there also you have an MLA of the ruling party. Why is this happening? This is happening because the foundation of this very government is based on violence.
Trajano D’Mello, Political Commentator
Today’s BJP government is based on dadagiri. There is dictatorship. Everything must happen as they want. They are not bothered if it is as per law or not. When something happens against them, they use muscle power. This has been seen in Anjuna (panchayat) and elsewhere in Goa. There is an attempt to put fear in the minds of the people and to shut the mouths of those who are speaking out, by the BJP government.
Rakhi Prabhudesai Naik, Netravali Panchayat Member
People have to decide what they want or do not want at the village level. The government is not bothered about the people. They do not want to listen to the people. Government wants to do only what it wants. For whom does the government do it? For money. In front of money, they don’t care for the people. Government has put its party men in front to beat up people.
Tanoj Adwalpalkar, Social Activist
Pramodbab, what is happening in Goa. There was an attack on a panchayat member from Mandrem. He was brutally assaulted with road. If he had to die, who would have been responsible? Law and order has totally collapsed. Even a panchayat member is not safe, how will you run Goa? We have demanded that CM should be removed. Even though BJP won with majority, still they were scared and broke 8 MLAs from the Congress.
Xencor Polji Social Activist
