Panaji: On Friday, leaders from multiple parties staged protests in Panaji, demanding justice for social activist Rama Kankonkar, who was assaulted on Thursday. Protesters blocked roads and marched towards the official residence of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
The protest saw participation from Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, MLAs Vijai Sardesai (Goa Forward Party), Carlos Alvares Ferreira (Congress), Venzy Viegas (AAP), GPCC President Amit Patkar, Vice President Sunil Kawthankar, AAP Goa President Amit Palekar, and other social activists. They gathered at Azad Maidan, demanding the arrest of the mastermind behind the attack. Police have so far arrested five of the six accused.
Addressing the gathering, LoP Yuri Alemao said, “This is a death of democracy. The voices of the people are being muzzled. A social activist has been attacked in broad daylight. The real mastermind behind this attack must be apprehended.”
The protesters later marched to the BJP office and the Chief Minister’s residence but were stopped by police, who subsequently blocked the D.B. Bandodkar Road. A delegation of social activists met CM Pramod Sawant, who assured them that gang activities will not be tolerated in Goa. He also stated that he is considering booking the accused under the National Security Act.
Following the meeting, the Chief Minister visited Goa Medical College to meet Kankonkar, who is receiving treatment there.
