MARGAO: The Margao Social Activists on Monday held a demonstration at the Margao Municipal Council building demanding stringent action against Melvin Fernandes, who raped a minor girl recently.
Milagres Fernandes of the Margao Social Activists said, “A Goan boy committing such a heinous crime is unacceptable and the main cause of such problems is the proliferation of drugs.”
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He demanded that the police crackdown on the drug trade in the State.
“Our children are not safe in public places in present times and the government has to do something to bring back security to the people and restore the traditional image of Goa which was known for peace and tranquillity,” he said.
Milagres demanded that Melvin be hanged to death and said he should be treated in the same manner as the rapists in the Nirbhaya Case were treated without any leniency.
Michael Fernandes of Human Rights Organisation said, “The government has lopsided priorities and the safety of people is being ignored by the government which apparently is more bothered about the casinos.”
Later, the group marched to the Maina Curtorim Police Station and presented a memorandum urging the police not to succumb to any pressure from any quarter and alleged that the accused Melvin’s family was contacting various influential people to dilute the case.
Meanwhile, Bailancho Ekvott President Auda Viegas in a letter to Superintendent of Police South Arvind Gawas while appreciating the sensitivity with which the police have handled the case urged that the matter be taken up on fast track basis as recommended by the Justice Verma Commission Report in 2013.
She also urged the SP to conduct the investigations thoroughly so that a water tight case is prepared leaving no loopholes whatsoever for the accused to exploit.
