Team Herald
PANJIM: A group of concerned citizens and NGOs have demanded that the investigation into the mysterious death of Fr Bismarque Dias should be conducted by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) which should be headed by the Chairman of Goa Human Rights Commission or a retired judge.
Addressing a press conference in Panjim, the group under the banner of ‘Citizens of Goa’ has demanded the appointment of a SIT by November 27. The group has threatened to intensify its protest if the government failed to meet the deadline.
“We doubt that the government is trying to suppress the investigation in this matter. This is the reason why we feel the inquiry should be conducted independently,” Kennedy Afonso, a member of the newly formed group, said.
The group has also demanded the suspension of Old Goa police station in-charge for failing to register the death as murder and investigate it accordingly. They have also demanded the suspension of Panjim police inspector for abusing and manhandling the people who were peacefully protesting on November 21.
Prakash Bandodkar, another member of the newly formed group, said that if the chief minister failed to take action against the police, then, he should give up his Home portfolio. “Police are goons of the government which is using them to settle scores,” he said.
Kennedy Afonso said that DNA profiling should be immediately done on the blood stains on the west found at the crime scene. The group also said that imposition of Section 144 in Panjim, last week, was not proper.
“Section 144 can be invoked only in case of emergency; it has been exercised in a very casual and mechanical manner. It cannot be issued for a festival such as IFFI,” said Avinash Tavares.
Swati Kerkar said that the peaceful demonstration and prayer was proposed by the people much before the Section 144 was imposed.
