MARGAO: People’s power ruled supreme at the Gomant Vidya Niketan Margao on Saturday as tiatr lovers virtually forced director of Akantvadi Goean Naka tiatr, Tousif de Navelim to hold the show with their support and police protection.
In a day of dramatic developments, which finally culminated in the release of the tiatr Akantvadi Goean Naka at the GVN hall amidst tight police security, agitated tiatr lovers rallied behind the director to go ahead with the show after his decision to postpone the release earlier in the day drew strong reactions from ardent tiatr fans. The tiatr lovers were not ready to buy Tousif’s argument that he has postponed the show because of threats of law and order situation outside the auditorium. In fact, they told Tousif point blank that the show should go and leave the responsibility of handling the law and order situation in the city to the police. They maintained that the radical and right wing groups from outside the state would celebrate victory if the show was postponed, saying that Goans should rise, unite and take on these organisations head on.
At one stage, the tiatr fans marched to the adjoining Margao police station with Tousif to demand security for Tousif and his troupe at the GVN hall. Left with no choice, Tousif finally bowed down to the wishes of tiatr lovers by announcing at 3.50 pm that the show will be finally released at 5 pm, even as a tiatr lover displaced a saffron cheddi (underwear) at the entrance to the GVN hall.
The police led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Mohan Naik moved inside the GVN hall after Tousif agreed for the release of the tiatr by carrying out a thorough check of the auditorium with the assistance of bomb disposal squad and installing metal detectors at the entrance.
A large posse of police were deployed in and around the GVN hall, while Mohan Naik, and police inspectors Sudesh Naik and Harish Madkaikar, besides PSIs and other policemen were seated inside as a precautionary measure along with an executive magistrate. The police are believed to have video filmed the entire show.
Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardessai, Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco and Goa Su-raj party leader Savio Rodrigues, who were invited as guests, were all present along with Tony D’Costa.
In his address, Vijai said that right wing elements have been flexing their muscles in Goa after Narendra Modi took over as the prime minister. He has expressed surprise that Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is silently watching the developments unfolding in the state and slammed the altar boys and the deputy chief minister for their silence.
The Curtorim MLA complimented the people for rallying behind the tiatr director, saying that it’s time for Goans to come together and unitedly take on the right wing forces. Rodrigues said a good beginning has been on Kranti Day today, saying the release of the tiatr despite threats will usher in a revolution in the state against radical groups.
