Team Herald
PANJIM: “Mourning the death of Panjim city”, a group of Panjim residents dressed in black as the theme in tune with the traditional Intruz and khell tiatr were detained by the Panjim Police for walking with placards highlighting the dilapidated state of Goa’s capital.
To add to it, in a rather bizarre incident, a constable inappropriately touched (physically abused) a young boy, who was a part of the protest.
The residents had a small bamboo ladder with plastic cans laid and covered it with a white sheet resembling a dead body- ‘mourning the death of Panjim city’ and through the placards they lamented the dilapidated of Panjim city with dug out holes, release of sewage in the creek, etc.
According to the Panjim residents, on reaching near Inox at around 4.15 pm, a group of men arrived on a bike and stopped them (the residents).
The residents said, “The men asked us if we had permission. We explained that we were not on the parade route and were like tourists and citizens in masquerade enjoying carnival. Soon, a police vehicle came and stopped us.”
The residents said, “When the group dispersed, the police reached near Azad Maidan and picked them up. The police allegedly tore the placards and manhandled and assaulted the boy who was in the group.”
They said, “Police inappropriately touched (physically abused) the boy and snatched away his phone which contained the videos of the altercation. After making us wait for three hours at the police station, we were not allowed to place the facts before the police.”
A resident Ritu Prasad said, “We were brought to the police station and detained for three hours. The Panjim Police have never behaved in such a manner. We have had bigger protests in the past, but this is shocking.”
“They did not even spare senior citizens and youngsters, also women, who were part of the protest,” she claimed.
“We were not even permitted to explain the incident and complain about police constable Manoj Pednekar’s inappropriate behaviour of assaulting the young boy. This police action is astonishing,” she said.
Adv Ryan Menezes said, “Under what provision of the law are the police arresting the group of Panjim citizens? This is shocking.”
Activist Sanjay Barde said, “Goans shouldn’t take this lying down. The atrocious action of the police will continue if they are not questioned.”
The incident has enraged the residents of Panjim and members of the legal fraternity who are chalking out the next course of action.