Last week, Goa was shaken by the brutal assault on social activist Ramakant Konkar. The attack, carried out brazenly in broad daylight, has raised questions about law and order in the state and the fear psychosis spreading across society. To understand the legal implications and the broader political meaning of this incident, Goemkarponn Editor Suraj Nandrekar spoke to Adv Carlos Alvares Ferreira, Aldona MLA, a man known not just as a politician but as a seasoned lawyer and former public prosecutor. In this candid conversation, Ferreira draws parallels with history, questions the state’s handling of crime, and shares his thoughts on Goa’s political future.
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Q: Adv Ferreira, what was your first reaction when you heard about the assault on Ramakant Konkar?
A: My first reaction was shock, but also a sense of déjà vu. This incident is not an isolated act of violence. It takes us back to a time when “war protectors” and gangs were running riot in Goa. Assaults, gang wars, and threats were used to silence voices. What is frightening is the brazenness of this particular attack. It was carried out in broad daylight, at a busy place, with people watching and cameras recording. The attackers did not even bother to wear masks or helmets.
That tells us something: they wanted to send a loud message. The message was simple – we don’t care about the police, we don’t care about the home department, we have powerful bosses behind us, and if you dare oppose us, we will crush you. This is not just an attack on an individual. It is an attempt to create fear and silence dissent in Goa.
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Q: You compared the incident to the Nazi era. Why such a strong parallel?
A: Because history teaches us what happens when power is abused to crush opposition. In Nazi Germany, there was a group called the SA, a sort of private army of thugs used to beat up opponents, silence critics, and create a climate of fear. The Nazis justified their rise to power by pointing to this chaos and then promising “good days” for one nation, one people, one identity.
When I see activists assaulted, journalists threatened, and citizens silenced for speaking up, I see a dangerous resemblance. This is not a democracy. Democracy allows dissent, it allows criticism, and it protects the weak. What we are seeing in Goa and across India today looks more like fascism than democracy.
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Q: At Azad Maidan, you and Captain Viriato raised suspicions that a cabinet minister could be involved. Do you have evidence?
A: Let me be very clear. As a lawyer, I never make allegations without evidence that can stand in court. We did not take names. But when you see the brazenness of the attack, you know there is a mastermind. These men were not acting alone. Someone powerful was backing them.
On social media, names are circulating. It is now the duty of the police to investigate fearlessly. Not just arrest those who carried out the assault, but dig deeper – examine call records, WhatsApp data, and financial links. Even if phones have been reset, data can be recovered. I was a public prosecutor. I know what the police can do if they are serious. The question is – do they want to?
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Q: The police have already arrested seven people. Don’t you think that is progress?
A: Arresting seven people is only the first step. But let me give you an example. Suppose someone murders a person and then surrenders. Is that alone enough in court? No. The court requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
In this case, yes, those seven may have committed the act. But who ordered it? Who is the godfather? Until you get to that person, you are only cutting the branches, not pulling out the root. Unless the mastermind is caught, Goa will not be safe.
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Q: The Chief Minister said the government will not tolerate such incidents. He also promised externment of the accused. Does that reassure you?
A: Every Chief Minister or Home Minister, after such incidents, makes the same scripted statement: We will take strict action, we will not tolerate. The real test is not in words but in action.
Externment, or tadipar, is not enough. If you remove someone from North Goa and send him to South Goa, he can still continue his activities. What we need is detention under the National Security Act. That locks them up completely. Otherwise, it is only eyewash.
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Q: But three of the accused were already on bail. Shouldn’t that have stopped them?
A: Exactly. Normally, when someone is out on bail, they behave cautiously. Here, they acted with more confidence. Why? Because they knew they were protected. They had the guts to believe they could manage the police, manage the system. That tells us the backing is powerful.
That is why I have demanded cancellation of their bail. Only then will there be fear of law. Otherwise, people will continue to believe they are above the law.
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Q: The Chief Minister has often said that migrants are responsible for crimes like thefts, rapes, and gang wars. Do you agree?
A: Crime cannot be blamed only on migrants. Yes, some migrants may be involved, but the real issue is law enforcement. Blaming outsiders is a convenient excuse. It diverts attention from the failure of the government to control crime.
When gangs operate freely, when drugs flow across borders, when there are repeated assaults, the responsibility lies with the government and the cabinet collectively. Ministers must have the courage to tell the Chief Minister that Goa is getting a bad name. But intoxicated by power, they do not act.
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Q: You mentioned the growing culture of bouncers and private security groups. How dangerous is this trend?
A: Very dangerous. We never had this “bouncer culture” in Goa earlier. Now it is mushrooming. Many of these so-called security agencies are unregistered, unregulated, and often patronised by politicians. Some of these men think they are superheroes who can do anything because they enjoy protection.
I am not against private security. Sometimes it is needed. But it must be regulated. Agencies must be registered, their employees identified and tracked. Otherwise, we are giving legal cover to gangs and ruffians.
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Q: Thousands of people protested at Azad Maidan after the assault. But some parents complained that the unannounced protest blocked traffic and inconvenienced school children. What is your view?
A: I saw those videos and I must say I condemn such behaviour. Protests must never inconvenience ordinary people. Parents rushing to pick up children from school should not be stuck in traffic. Even if the cause is just, such actions alienate supporters.
I sometimes wonder if these incidents are deliberately provoked to tarnish movements. Infiltrators can create chaos to show protesters in a bad light. That is why we must always be disciplined, peaceful and respectful in our protests.
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Q: The opposition appeared united at Azad Maidan. Do you see this as a sign for 2027 elections?
A: Absolutely. I believe we have one common mission – to remove this arrogant and corrupt BJP government. Each party may posture differently now, but when the time comes, I believe all forces will unite. Divided, we cannot succeed. United, we can.
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Q: But smaller parties like GFP and RGP seemed to gain more mileage from the protest than Congress. Why is Congress lagging?
A: I disagree that we are lagging. We deliberately chose not to overplay our role. Our leader of opposition Yuri Alemao, made it clear this was not a political rally but a people’s movement. We did not want one-upmanship. We stood shoulder to shoulder with civil society.
For Congress, groundwork is more important than optics. Others may shout louder, but we are focused on connecting with people meaningfully.
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Q: Critics say Congress often raises issues, burns effigies, and then forgets them. Why not take issues to a logical end?
A: Some issues are purely political and are meant to create awareness. Others require both political and legal action. When legal action is possible, we go to court. But many times the law itself bars intervention.
Take the delimitation of Zilla Panchayat constituencies. The government waited till the last minute, creating suspicion. If we go to court now, it will dismiss the petitions because the law prohibits challenges. In such cases, our role is to alert people politically.
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Q: Finally, if elections were held today, where does Congress stand in Goa?
A: Congress is reviving. We are reorganising and working at the grassroots. Admittedly, more needs to be done, and I myself am not satisfied yet. But we are cautious because the BJP is known to poach and intimidate opposition candidates.
We cannot expose our full strategy now. But I assure you, when the time comes, Congress will be ready, and we will fight to restore democracy and safety in Goa.
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Q: A final message to the police?
A: My message is simple: do your job honestly. Do not think you can fool the public. If you fail to act, or if you act wrongly, I will not hesitate to take you to court. Minor mistakes can be forgiven. But deliberate omissions or wrongful arrests will not. Goa deserves peace, and the police must deliver it.
