I have been following the death of Fr Bismarque for some time and after what occurred on Saturday, it truly pains me from the deepest of my heart. I moved to Goa in 1993 and I have always believed that Goa was too soft. The people in Goa were too “peace loving” and “sussegad”. Saturday’s events were proof of what I believed in. Unfortunately, there are government servants who took advantage of those traits.
I think, first of all, what we need to understand is that our present CM is not a stand-alone CM. He’s being played by another certain individual who chose greener pastures and left Goa. Fr.Bismarque, on the other hand, chose Goa over greener pastures. A true Human Being!! Can we say the same about the government? Do we see a human being anywhere in the Parliament? They fight like cats and dogs and wild animals (all due respect to the REAL animals) and fail to see that the whole world watches Indian politics. Just as we watch the US Senate and UK House of Commons in session, don’t you think the world watches our Parliament in session?
With regards to Goa Police actions on Saturday, well, if you commit murder, rape, kidnap, burglarize, organize illegal bull-fights, commit extortion, blackmail, race illegally on civilian roads, drive without seat belts, urinate in public places, then fear not for you will never see ANY police action. But, if you call to report a crime, assemble peacefully to protest an innocent man’s death, then unfortunately, you WILL see the dirty side of Goa Police.
The entire matter could have very simply been handled in a far more professional manner. The police could have surrounded the protesters and ensured that no one went out of bounds. But the fact they did what they did clearly proves, that obviously, they had a lot to cover up. The Goa Police is no doubt not an individual body. They have no minds of their own and they are definitely not trained to handle situations humanely. It was perfectly clear that they acted on the instructions of someone in the government. When we compare it to the incident with the Nigerians, the police force were caught unawares, hence no orders could be given in time. It’s a shame.
Where are the cops when vehicles are moving at break neck speed down narrow roads endangering the lives of pedestrians? Where are the cops when burglars ransack and rob people at night? If you ever wonder why you don’t see your local policeman, let me tell you where he is. He’s busy making a quick buck on Saturday and Sunday evenings on roads like the Margao-Colva Road harassing families and locals who are on their way to the beach. Their crime – NO HELMETS. Hogwash!!
I come from a state where people do not take nonsense lying down. It is time Goans wake up and if not follow, at least, learn from these states. We are citizens of India and we have the right to our land. We have the right to assemble to protest peacefully, eat what we want, roam freely the land and speak our thoughts out loud. We cannot be silenced. My heart bleeds for Goa and the treatment meted out to the Goans. Please let us stand up unitedly for what is right and just and let us live in peace and harmony.
