MARGAO: Condemning the recent incident where a beef shop located in Chinchinim market was vandalised on Bakri Eid day and petrol was poured over the meat products stored in the shop by miscreants, villagers from Chinchinim have hit out at attempts to create communal disharmony in the village and say they will all stay united irrespective of their religious backgrounds.

Right from the Chinchinim panchayat led by the Sarpanch along with the panch members to prominent locals as well as Velim MLA Cruz Silva, all of them visited the shop and expressed their solidarity with Nazir Bepari, the owner of the store.

Chinchinim resident Savio Lopes, pointed out that this is the first time such an incident has taken place in the village that is known for its communal harmony and that the police have to nab the miscreants at the earliest and should use the CCTV camera footage from neighbouring establishments around the market.

Silva also pointed out that it is clear what the intentions of the miscreants were given the pouring of petrol on the beef and the timing of the incident and said the people will hold a protest if action is not taken by the police immediately.

While Bepari lamented that his CCTV cameras, TV and other appliances were damaged and that their inverter was stolen, he added that he is hoping the police can find out who the culprits are.

Barretto opined that the miscreants were not from the village but that the villagers will not let such sinister tactics disturb the peace here.