At Varca’s tintos, taverns and balcao’s, there is only one question: Will “HE” return soon?

Varca: The action shifts up north when the ‘man of the house’ is trying to put his house in order shuffling between Bambolim and Ribandar. Varca was a seemingly deserted place as hordes of supporters and friends joined Churchill’s family who stood by the Varca strongman on ‘Tension Thursday’.

The Varca mansion had an eerie buzz as a swarm of supporters kept pouring in only to find out that all of ‘Robin Hood’s men’ were in Panjim. Early morning, the his residence resonated with the sound of silence in contrast to the roads and junctions across Varca, with people flocking to talk about the breaking news.  

Through the dark night of Wednesday, which Churchill spent at the Crime Branch in Ribandar post his arrest, Alemao’s supporters lived on just one hope. That this arrest might lead to a resurrection through a sympathy wave. This hope or belief will have to pass through a severe test though

 Some of the men were pleased to note that the tradition of tea and cold drinks being served to visitors had not stopped on the day of the arrest, while some were troubled that the burden on the hospitality staff had increased as there were many Churchill sympathisers’ visits later in the day. There were also great concerns about the health of his wife, Fatima who was at home and had been reportedly not feeling well. 

 The sole talking point at Varca was tracking of the ‘news’ every five minutes, concerns about his health and minute to minute updates as to how he was received at the court, hospital, crowds waiting outside or the belligerent police accompanying him every step of the way. Murmurs about how Churchill should have listened to the counsel of advocate Radharao Gracias to apply for anticipatory bail the way Digambar Kamat had, made the rounds.   While supporters from Benaulim and Navelim who had gone to Panjim out of love for the beleaguered Alemao returned at night, prayers for Churchill and the family were the order of the day as all of them were fervently wishing that Alemao gets granted bail on Monday and returns home. 

 Locals from Benaulim and Navelim had different reactions, some positive , some negative and the moment Churchill was remanded for four days police custody, people let go of whatsapp and personally called or met their friends and neighbours and balcaos across the two constituencies were kept warm by Xaxtikars chatting about the defeated Robin Hood.