Goemakpronn desk
VASCO: Goencho Avaaz Party strongly protested the arrest of their member Suryakant Chodankar by the Pernem police on May 8th. After the total failure of the State government to control the rampant spread of the covid 19 virus, and ensure that people adhere to required SOPs, Suryakant Chodankar approached two shopkeepers of non Goan origin at their sweet shop in Pernem bazaar to request them to wear their masks as required. Since they refused to comply, Suryakant began video filming their violation which was endangering the public.
Shockingly, the duo reacted by injuring Suryakant on both hands with a stick and breaking his mobile with a stick. They then filed a complaint against him with the Pernem police, who immediately arrested Suryakant without any investigation and justification despite his broken mobile and swollen hands, which was medically confirmed. Although Suryakant’s family filed a complaint with the Pernem police about the assault on their father, no action was taken on the Marwari duo. Such was the influence of the Marwaris that the injured Suryakant was even refused bail.
As Swapnesh Sherlekar, Goencho Avaaz president said, “This is just another in a long series of government actions showing that Goa has been totally handed over to outsiders by the current government, who harass their own people at the behest of outsiders. That very night, two Covid patients died at GMC due to the drop in oxygen. Yet the next morning, the Chief Minister brazenly announced that he was sending precious and scarce Goan manufactured oxygen from Verna to Sindhudurg. Charity begins at home. When Goans are dying for lack of oxygen, how can a Chief Minister ignore his own people’s life and death needs? How can he send crucial and scarce oxygen to a neighbouring state whose government is handling the pandemic situation much better than Goa?”
Santosh Tari, North Goa convenor of Goencho Avaaz Party alleged that the attack upon Suryakant Chodankar and the unjustified police action against him, allegedly had the backing and the blessings of Dy. CM Babu Azgaonkar. “Some time ago, Suryakant had exposed the alleged corruption of Dy. CM Babu Azgaonkar. It is sad that Goa and Goans are being sold to outside vested interests. This is precisely what Goencho Avaaz Party has been fighting against for the past 3 years” he said.