All four, who were detained for over 40 minutes, had helped organise candlelight vigils demanding justice for Fr Bismarque. They claimed that the police not only mentally tortured them, but even humiliated them by checking their cars.“We were proceeding to Panjim to take part in a meeting called by an activist group. However, when we reached near Cortalim circle, police suddenly stopped and started questioning us. They wanted to know where we were going and why. The moment we replied that we are going to attend a meeting at Panjim, a police officer said that we cannot proceed as the administration has imposed Section 144. Even after several requests, the police never allowed us to move until they thoroughly checked the car, removed a poster of Fr Bismarque that we were carrying and a superior gave them directions to allow us to proceed,” said Custodio D’Souza, KAP member and Vasco resident.
KAP member Manjunath Bhandari stated, “The way the police suddenly stopped us makes us feel that there is some hidden agenda and they have been watching the moments of all those who have been demanding justice for Fr Bismarque. This is unconstitutional and we strongly condemn it. We have every right to attend any meeting and function, and police cannot stop us by saying that Section 144 is imposed several kilometres away and we can’t go there.”
