Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Goa Police have registered an FIR against several opposition leaders, social activists, and around 450 supporters in connection with a protest held in Panaji following the alleged assault on activist Rama Kankonkar.
The FIR names prominent political figures including opposition leader Yuri Alemao, Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai, St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar, Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas, as well as AAP president Amit Palekar, Congress president Amit Patkar, RG president Manoj Parab, AICC Goa desk in-charge Anjali Nambalkar, Bhandari Samaj president Sanju Naik, Gakuved president Govind Shirodkar, former MLAs Prasad Gaonkar and Prakash Velip, and AICC general secretary Girish Chodankar, among others.
According to Panaji police inspector Vijaykumar Chodankar, the complaint was lodged on behalf of the state. “The protest was organised without obtaining prior permission and formed an unlawful assembly under the pretext of showing solidarity over the alleged assault on Kankonkar,” Chodankar said.
The protest took place on September 19 at Azad Maidan, Panaji, where political leaders and activists addressed the media before marching towards the Panaji Police Headquarters (PHQ).
Despite requests to avoid obstructing traffic and the lack of official permission, the protesters continued their march, ultimately heading towards the chief minister’s residence at Altinho.
During the march, a group led by Venzy Viegas and MP South Goa Viriato Fernandes reportedly deviated to the BJP office, where they clashed with staff.
Viegas and Fernandes accused a BJP minister of involvement in the assault on Kankonkar and criticized the police for allegedly delaying the investigation.
The protest and subsequent confrontation were extensively covered by the media.
The police FIR charges the leaders and participants under sections related to unlawful assembly and other applicable provisions.
