Social activist Rama Kankonkar, who was brutally assaulted near Caranzalem on September 18, has alleged that the attack on him was a result of his vocal stance on issues concerning the Scheduled Tribe (ST) community and his questions over the Khapreshwar Devasthan matter.
In a detailed statement recorded by the Panjim Police on Thursday, Kankonkar claimed that he was targeted because he questioned why the Scheduled Tribe portfolio and related issues were not handled by one of the State’s four Scheduled Tribe MLAs.
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“All the above incidents occurred only because of the issues and questions which I had raised,” Kankonkar said in his statement.
- On September 18, 2025, between 12 pm and 12.15 pm, Rama Kankonkar met his friend Soiru Velip near a hotel in Panjim, and the two went for lunch at a hotel in Caranzalem.
- While having lunch, a man seated nearby allegedly pointed his mobile phone camera at him. When confronted, the man claimed he was photographing the menu.
- As they left the restaurant and walked towards his car, a man in a pink shirt suddenly approached him, placed his arm around his shoulder, pressed his neck and punched him in the face.
- Two to three others joined in, punching and abusing him with filthy words. They used cables, chains and fists to beat him.
- Cow dung was stuffed in his mouth and smeared on his face. His shirt was torn, gold chain broken, and his mobile phone stolen.
- Kankonkar alleged that a cylindrical object, possibly a gun barrel, was pressed against his head as he was threatened.
- He identified one of the attackers as Minguel, who had targeted him earlier.
Kankonkar said: “I prayed to God and took the names of Mallikarjun and Rakhandar for strength, but the assailants continued beating me. My vision blurred, and I eventually lost consciousness.”
Kankonkar stated that this was not the first time he was attacked by Minguel. He claimed that the same individual had targeted him on two earlier occasions near the Bambolim Nursing College while he was reporting to Panjim Police Station as part of his bail conditions.
He added that his troubles intensified after he criticised the government, pointing out that the harassment worsened following an assault case at Panjim Police Station and during his judicial remand in Colvale Jail.
His statement has sparked widespread outrage, with several political and community leaders condemning the incident as an attempt to silence voices speaking up for tribal rights.
The Panjim Police have arrested eight persons in connection with the assault:
- Zenito Cardozo (36) of St Cruz, identified as the prime accused
- Anthony Nadar (31)
- Francis Nadar (28)
- Minguel Araujo (24)
- Franco D’Costa (28) — all from Santa Cruz
- Manish Hadfadkar (24) of Chorao
- Suresh Naik (31) of Porvorim
- Sairaj Govekar (28) of Pilerne
Meanwhile, Rama Kankonkar continues to undergo treatment at the Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim. His condition has been described as stable, though he is recovering from multiple injuries.
