MARGAO: Tensions escalated in Cuncolim on Sunday evening as hundreds of people, including members of the Mahajan committee of Shri Shantadurga Kunkalikarin marched to the Cuncolim Police station, demanding the immediate arrest of social activist Shreya Dhargalkar. They accused Dhargalkar of hurting religious sentiments and defaming them by making false accusations.
Following the complaint, Cuncolim police registered several offences against Namita Fatarpekar and Shreya Dhargalkar under various Sections of the IPC and the Information Technology Act. Both individuals have been arrested and are in police custody.
The case stems from a video released by Shreya Dhargalkar, in which she alleged harassment by the Mahajan committee and the local panchayat against Namita Fatarpekar, a resident of Fatorpa. Fatarpekar claimed in the video that she had documents proving her ancestral rights to the house and surrounding land. However, the Mahajan committee refuted these claims, asserting that Fatarpekar had no legal right to the land and was residing in the house illegally.
Kavendra Dessai lodged the complaint on behalf of Shri Shantadurga Kunkalikarin devasthan. Earlier in the day, members of the devasthan had urged the police to take action against the accused, threatening to escalate their agitation if no action was taken.
The situation grew tense as a large crowd from Cuncolim and Fatorpa gathered at the police station to join the protest. Additional police forces were called in from other stations to manage the situation. Four deputy superintendents – Salim Shaikh from Margao, Vasco DySP Santosh Dessai, Nilesh Rane from Quepem and Canacona DySP T Singh arrived to handle the situation.
The situation was eventually diffused after Shreya Dhargalkar, escorted by heavy police force, publicly apologised to the crowd. Earlier, the crowd had blocked the road and marched to the police station. Police confirmed that the situation is now peaceful, with no reports of any untoward incidents.
One of the accused arrested was taken to the South Goa District Hospital for medical examination, said police sources.
