Candlelight march to press for cops arrest
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, FEB 25: Civil society groups and concerned citizens would be holding a candlelight procession in the capital city on Saturday evening to protest against the police hush ups in the Cipriano Fernandes custodial killing.
Addressing a press conference, key witness in the case Kenneth Silveira said that the aim to hold a candlelight march from Azad Maidan to chief minister’s official residence at Altinho is to demand immediate arrest of the police officials responsible for Cipriano’s murder.
“We are fighting to eliminate the rot from the system…black sheep should be cleared out. Not just the policemen but the medical fraternity who tried to cover up the case should also be arrested,” he told reporters.
The witness, who is given police protection, alleged that the Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) granted bail to a ‘dead person’.
“As per the RTI information and my personal presence in the Panjim police station, Cipriano was already dead on January 8. He (Cipriano) was treated like an animal in the police station… moreover, how can the SDM grant bail to a dead person?” he said in the presence of another case witness, Grenville.
The two witnesses claimed to have seen Panjim police kicking Cipriano in the police station.
Cipriano, 38, was arrested on January 7 after his lady friend complained against him for threatening her. He was rushed to Goa Medical College and Hospital on January 8 where he died the next morning.
Police claimed that he suffered from fits and vomited alcohol.
Shooting further allegations, Kenneth said that suspended police inspector Sandesh Chodankar has been involved in corruption.
The witnesses are hoping to get support from the political parties in the candlelight march even as they claim that party leaders have assured them their support.
Three police officials including Chodankar, sub inspector Radesh Ramnathkar and head constable Sandip Shirvaikar were suspended for administrative lapses whereas a final report is still to be submitted.
Crime Branch has though registered a case of murder and destruction of evidences against unknown policemen on duty January 7-8, there has been no arrest.
