GAKUVED Members address Press after handing complaint to SP South Goa

Tribal Leaders Demand Action Against Sancoale Secretary for Alleged Assault on Activist

V.P. Secretary Orville Vales charged of calling activist Rama Kankonkar 'Gawdo'

Published on:

24 Oct 2024, 1:20 pm

The Gawada Kunbi Velip Dhangar (GAKUVED) Federation has delayed the verbal assault on the SC/ST leader and tribal activist Rama Kankonkar by the Secretary of Sancoale Panchayat Orville Vales. The federation has demanded immediate action against the accused Secretary deemed under the Atrocities Act.

The GAKUVED federation and All Goa Scheduled Tribes Action Committee have complained to the Superintendent of Police South Goa against Mr. Orville Vales, Secretary of Village Panchayat Sancoale for assaulting, abusing and threatening Rama Kankonkar who is a tribal activist and member of GAKUVED federation. The said incident had happened on Wednesday 23 evening when Kankonkar had gone to support social worker Premanand Naik who is sitting on an indefinite Hunger Strike against the "Bhutani Project" to protect land and environment in village panchayat Sancoale, wherein the people had gathered to oppose the Bhutani project. The incident took place when Rama Kankonkar proceeded towards the washroom which is at the parking slot where he met Mr. Orville Vales who have been given charge as Panchayat Secretary.

The Federation feels that this is a violation of Section 3 (1) (r) & (s), The SC/ST, Prevention of Atrocities Amendment Act, 2015. 'Gawdo' words have been intentionally used by the Secretary in public to insult Rama Kankonkar from others apart from the assault and threats.

The Federation also alleged that the officials of Verna Police Station have not initiated any action under the provisions of the Atrocities Act. Hence, the federation demands to take action as per Section 4 of the 'Atrocities Act' against the public servants who have willfully neglected their duties.

While demanding immediately FIR under Section 3 (1) (r) (s) and Section 2 of the Atrocity Act against Panchayat Secretary Vales and action against him they have demanded to ensure safety of the Rama Kankonkar as enshrined under the Atrocity Act and rules made thereunder.