Goemkarponn desk
CANACONA: Canconkar’s braving heavy rains turned up in hundreds to partake in a protest march held to condemn the brutality in Manipur.
The protest march which began at Mastimoll (near Police Station) culminated at KTC Bus Stand, Chaudi where the local leaders including a priest addressed the masses, read olut a memorandum to be sent to Prime Minister of India and goa Chief Minister, calling for stopping of the violence in Manipur immediately and giving justice to the affected people and rehabilate all irrespective of Caste, Creed or Religion.
Most of the ladies amongst hundreds of menfolk wearing raincoats and carrying umbrellas displayed, placards ‘Save Manipur Women’, the protest march which began at Mastimoll (near Police Station) almost in a silent manner came at KTC Bus-Stand, which was later addressed by local leaders. Many people also lit candles, and responded to the slogans raised by speakers condemning the governments of Manipur, Centre (Delhi) and Goa.
‘It is unfortunate the brutality happening in Manipur, and the atrocities being inflicted upon the girls and women in Manipur and elsewhere in the country is a blot on the nation and still our government is silent, and till now no action is being taken against the perpetrators of violence.
This is very bad and painfull, and it should not remain like that, as Government has to take action against those people and give justice to the women, who were molested, raped and killed’., Gaspar Coutinho, one of the Convener of the protest March.
Another activist Vikas Bhagat, “Everyone knows what happend in Manipur, today is 83rd day, we feel ashamed to say, that even the victory of Kargil war with Pakistan was achieved in 83 days only, but the internal war happening in Manipur is not controlled nor won till now. Interestingly, at that time (Kargil war), it was BJP government and now also BJP is at the helm of affairs not only in the State but the nation as well. We are asking why it is not being stopped. There is no caste, creed or religion, why our Prime Minister took 79 days to speak against it and is not doing anything to stop this fascism? Now, Goans are forced to protest , raise our voices for what is happening in Manipur, because somewhere our women, a mother, a sister, a daughter are being trampled upon”.
Activist Sandesh Telekar said the attack on those two women, who were paraded naked and molested publicly is a national rape of women in the country. It is in this our very country, we as nationals worship women, and the people who are running the country claims though as protectors and saviors of women. Justice system is sent to dogs by this government. We condemn this central government for this ugly act, and we also condemn our State government for not showing any remorse or condemn this shame.
Janardhan Bhandari said, “Our elected people, pledges India is my country, and all Indians are my brothers and sisters, we as a nation are one earth, one family! is Manipur not part of India? Why no justice to Manipur. Why and how a Head of the family, who calls himself Chowkidar and his always travels out of the country with a tag of ‘Vishwaguru’ can keep quiet where women are paraded naked, molested openly. Does this man deserve to be our Prime Minister? This so called Vishwaguru had made each of us Indians to hang our heads in shame”.
A Priest Fr. Freddy Lobo, informed, ‘ It is not only those 2 women, but several other women in Manipur are subjected to such molestations, rapes and murders. There is not security to women and honest citizens in the country. We are humans and should be treated as humans, humanity is not seen in the violence at Manipur. Government on their part is highly lacking in enforcing law and order in Manipur, and though some are arrested, and most atrocities are not even being registered. We demand all should be arrested and necessary justice should be done’.
A memorandum signed by Swabhimani Jagruth Canconkar’s says in solidarity with the suffering people of Manipur will be submitted to Honorable Prime Minister, Chief Minister of Goa with a specific ‘focus of our protest march is against the violence in Manipur, should be stopped immediately, we seek for lasting and sustainable peace for all the people irrespective of all religions, castes or creed.’
