EAM HERALD
CURCHOREM: Barely a month after vandals desecrated and damaged crosses at the cemetery at Our Lady of Miracles Chapel at Assolda-Quepem, miscreants went on the rampage yet again and damaged the pedestal of a life-sized bronze statue of Dr B R Ambedkar at Ambedkar Chowk, Curchorem, early Monday morning.
A Tusli Vrindavan located in the compound of Adv Mahesh Kudchodkar was also damaged.
According to Curchorem police, the incident occurred at about 4.30 am when an unidentified person damaged some parts of the pedestal of the statute of Dr B R Ambedkar. However, the culprit made good his escape under the cover of darkness after he saw a fisherwoman who was on her way to purchase fish for sale.
“The fisherwoman couldn’t recognize the man, as it was dark. She immediately informed the police who were on night patrolling. Police combed nearby places, but could not get any clue to the identity of the vandal,” informed police.
While the police were busy searching the culprit and conducting panchanama, a nearby resident from the Ambedkar Chowk, near Ravindra Bhavan, Adv Mahesh Kudchodkar informed police that his Tulsi Vrindavan, which is located in his compound, was also vandalized. Kudchodkar lodged a police complaint stating that an unidentified person damaged his Tulsi Vrindavan on the intervening night of September 21 and 22.
“When I got up and went out of my house at about 6.15 am, I noticed the upper part of Tulsi Vrindavan demolished. After searching outside my compound wall, I found the demolished part in the bushes,” Kakodkar stated in the complaint.
Curchorem police has registered a case against unknown person and ASI Sadanand Dessai is investigating the case under the supervision of PI Ravindra Dessai.
Meanwhile, Dalit Sangatna of Quepem taluka President Deepak Morajkar has complained with regard to the damage caused to the pedestal of the statue of B R Ambedkar.
Speaking to media, Morajkar condemned the act and said Sangatna has called a public meeting on October 2 near the statue to protest the act.
Republican Party of India (RPI) Goa State President Dyneshwar Warkhandkar visited the site and condemned the cowardly act.
Speaking to Herald, he said the PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar, who was a minister in the earlier Congress government, had assured that he will give protection to the statues when the same statue (B R Ambedkar) was demolished earlier.
“He has failed to keep his word. I have also informed about the incident to Speaker Rajendra Arlekar who has assured us that inquiry will be conducted,” he said.
RPI also demanded that the government should investigate into the matter seriously and arrest the culprit at the earliest.
It may be recalled that on August 24, miscreants desecrated and vandalized crosses at the cemetery at Our Lady of Miracles Chapel in Assolda-Quepem. The miscreants had also damaged a tomb and dome of the Hindus and the window panes and flag pedestal of the Assolda Panchayat.
