First generation heirs to get Rs 15-lakh purse, certificate of honour at a special event
PANAJI
Next of kin (first generation heirs) of 15 martyrs of Goa's Liberation movement are to be honoured by the Goa government with a 'certificate of honour' and a purse of Rs 15 lakh on the eve of Liberation Day this year, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced on Sunday.
Addressing a press conference at his official Altinho residence, Sawant said these 'martyrs' lost their lives in Portuguese police and military firing at Goa's borders against thousands of Satyagrahis who were marching to the State on August 15, 1955.
"These martyrs lost their lives in the fight for Goa's freedom from Portuguese rule. They never got any recognition or any reward. Now my government has taken this decision to honour them and also award their families a Rs 15 lakh purse," Sawant said.
He said, 14 first generation heirs of these martyrs have been identified and will be coming to receive the honour certificate and the cash award on December 18.
Sawant said there were 70-odd people who died in the Portuguese military action in 1955.
"We have identified 15 whose first generation legal heirs are still living and will come to receive the honour at a special event to be held at the PAC hall of the Goa legislative assembly complex at 11 am on December 18," Sawant said.
The 15 martyrs include Bala Raya Mapari of Assonora who conducted a raid on Assonora police outpost in 1929, Sakharam Shirodkar of Ecoxim who was shot dead on August 14, 1955, Rohidas Mapari of Assonora, Yeshwant Agarwadekar of Oxel Siolim killed in an encounter with Portuguese police patrol at Parra on December 17, 1958.
Other Goan martyrs to be honoured include Bapu Vishnu Gavas from Pernem, Ramchandra Nevgi of Bicholim, Babla Parab of Pernem, Laxman Velingkar of Veling, Keshavbhai Tengse from Canacona and Parshuram Acharya of Canacona.
The list also includes Karnal Singh Benipal of Punjab and Basavraj Hugdi of Bidar, Karnataka.
