Team Herald
PANJIM: Goa government has said that activist Sudip Dalvi’s “Swim For Justice” – a protest swim across River Mandovi, was an act of criminal negligence. Dalvi had organized the ‘solo’ event on Sunday to protest against “political arrests” but ended up with the tragic death of his comrade Manuel Pereira, a Sinquerim resident.
“Anybody is free to cross the Mandovi but before doing so, they should have taken our help,” Ports Minister Michael Lobo said reacting to the incident.
“If they had to write to Ports Department, we would have given them a boat that would accompany the swimmers from the start till the end point. Anybody conducting any activity in River Mandovi or any rivers should have the permission. Once they apply to us, we grant them the permission along with a detailed safety measures to be undertaken during the activity. They should have taken the mandatory permission but they didn’t,” he added.
On April 3, as per Dalvi, Pereira decided to “Swim For Justice” along with him, at the last minute to protest against ‘atrocities of this fascist government and to demand release of political prisoners all over India.’
Lobo, further reacting said that the department also provides lifeguards and a rescue boat – a process that would have been heeded to in the present case if government was made aware of it.
“It is an act is a criminal negligence. Such things should not happen and people should not put anybody at risk. Now his (Pereira) life is lost. You cannot play with water and fire. Somebody should just not say that they want to cross Mandovi and protest. It is not like crossing a swimming pool. What if there was a big barge or boats approaching that side (during the protest swim)? How would a person be visible in a huge river? A government patrol boat would have guided the swimmers. We would have advised the organizer,” the minister added. “The onus lies with him, the organizer. We would have advised…”, said Lobo.
