CANACONA: A total peaceful bandh was observed in Canacona to condole the savage killing of Danielle McLaughlin.
All the shopkeepers kept their shutters down till 12 noon in response to the call given by the citizens of Canacona to condole the sexual assault and savage killing of the British passport holder and Irish national backpacker Danielle.
Herald had brought a detailed exclusive report of the funeral of Danielle held yesterday at her home town Buncrana, Co Dodegal, Ireland.
All the businesses across Canacona municipal area including Patnem, Colomb, Palolem and the coastal belt of Agonda voluntarily downed their shutters to show solidarity and condole the brutal rape and murder Danielle at Devabagh here in Canacona, and later participated at the condolence meeting, at Gaitonde grounds, to pay homage to the departed soul of Danielle.
Over 1500 people including foreign tourists participated whole heartedly and offered floral tributes to the portrait of Danielle which was positioned at the stage in front of the audience. At the beginning, a one minute silence was observed to pay respect and offer prayers to the soul of Danielle.
Many speakers who spoke on the occasion were very critical of the local administration and complained that even after submitting a memorandum to these effect that the accused Vikat Bhagat is a nuisance in the society and action should be taken against him, no action was initiated, a copy of which they said had been marked to the deputy collector of Canacona and the Collector of South Goa.
One of the main organizers said that two different extermination letters submitted by the Canacona police to the deputy collector of Canacona are still awaiting action from the deputy collector’s office, and most of the speakers demanded judicial enquiry against the then deputy collector of Canacona for this lapse.
A resolution was passed unanimously by all the present to the effect and was handed over to local MLA Isidore Fernandes a copy of which will be handed over to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and another copy would be posted to Andrea the mother of Danielle McLaughlin to her local address in Ireland.
A few friends of Danielle also spoke on the occasion and thanked locals for offering all possible help during this trying time. After offering a silent prayer at the portrait of Danielle, MLA Isidore Fernandes offered all support from his side to see that the case goes to its logical end and promised to clear Canacona of all illegal activities due to which all these bad incidents take place. The programme was compered by Abel Barretto.
