Pratima Coutinho arrested for failing to attend court hearing

Activist Pratima Coutinho with supporters after her release at the Margao police station.

Photo Credits: Santosh Mirajkar

MARGAO  

Social activist Pratima Coutinho was arrested by the Margao police on Sunday under a non-bailable warrant issued by the court for failing to attend a previous hearing.   

State social activists rallied around Pratima, accusing the Pramod Sawant government of targeting activists for raising public issues. Pratima was later granted bail by the local court on a personal bond of Rs 10,000 with one surety.   

Pratima and other activists also criticised Margao Police In-charge, PI Tulsidas Naik, accusing him of acting on the government’s orders.   

The incident occurred when a police team visited Pratima’s residence in Navelim, explaining the warrant and requesting her presence at the police station. Her request to travel in her own car was denied, and she was taken in the police vehicle.   

At the station, Pratima argued that she had done nothing wrong in the case, which dates back to when she, as Mahila Congress president, had protested against rising prices by chanting “Ram Nam Satya Hai.” She vowed to continue her activism, saying she would not be intimidated by government pressure.   

Pratima also confronted PI Tulsidas Naik, questioning why he remained in charge of the station despite two transfer orders from the police department. “We demand to know at whose political orders PI Tulsidas is still heading the Margao police station,” Pratima said.   

By noon, several social activists, including Rama Kankonkar, Shankar Polge, Anthony D’Silva, and Feedol Pereira, gathered at the Margao police station to show their support.   

Kankonkar questioned Pratima’s arrest for simply chanting “Ram Nam Satya Hai” and criticised the government for its wrongdoings. Polge stated that the arrest was an attempt to disrupt a planned candlelight protest at Lord Kapreshwar Temple, emphasising that such actions would not discourage activists. D’Silva criticised Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, saying his dictatorial approach would be remembered by the people of Goa.