Massive Protests Erupt in Goa Over TCP Act and Police Conduct
In a significant display of public dissent, thousands of protesters, comprising political leaders, NGOs, and citizens, gathered outside the residences of TCP minister Vishwajit Rane in Dona Paula on Monday. The agitation, which began on Saturday, intensified as demonstrators demanded the immediate scrapping of Section 39(A) of the TCP Act and the suspension of the Panaji police inspector for allegedly manhandling St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar.
Escalation of Protests and Police Intervention
Initially, protesters planned to continue their sit-in outside Rane's residences until their demands were met. However, they later shifted to Azad Maidan. The situation escalated when over 2,000 agitators arrived at Azad Maidan around 4 pm and decided to march towards Rane's residence in Dona Paula. Police attempted to stop them at three different locations with barricades, but protesters bypassed these obstacles, splitting into three groups. Some were halted at Aivao, others reached Rane's residence near Lok Bhavan, and the majority, including opposition MLAs, gathered outside his Dona Paula residence near a private hospital.
Political Reactions and Demands
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao emphasized that the government must scrap Section 39(A) and suspend or terminate the Panaji police inspector for treating an MLA "like an animal." RGP president Manoj Parab echoed this, calling for top officials, including Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Rane, to assure the suspension of the inspector and the removal of the contentious TCP Act section. Parab warned that if demands are not met, the agitation could turn violent, stating, "This fight is karo ya maro (do or die)." He also criticized Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai for not joining the protest at Rane's residence, alleging collusion.
Government Response and Criticism
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant responded to the protests by urging restraint, stating, "Marching with people to a minister's residence and taking the law into their own hands is not right." He advised protesters to use proper channels, such as submitting representations to the collector or protesting at Azad Maidan. Meanwhile, Aldona MLA Carlos Ferreira condemned the government's actions as an "assault on democracy," accusing it of suppressing peaceful expression. AAP Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas urged the government to heed public demands to avoid pushing people to the wall.
Background and Additional Incidents
The protests were fueled by demands to stop land conversion at Palem-Siridao and the alleged manhandling of MLA Viresh Borkar at the TCP office. Borkar continued an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan in solidarity. Earlier, Goa police stopped buses carrying protesters from South Goa to Azad Maidan, but after opposition MLA intervention, some were allowed to proceed. Sardesai clarified his presence at Azad Maidan was to show solidarity regarding an assault on Rama Kankonkar, not to protest at Rane's residence.
The agitation highlights growing tensions over land use policies and police conduct in Goa, with protesters vowing to persist until their demands are addressed.
