A candlelight protest at the Colva police station demanding action against Subhash Velingkar.
Photo Credits: The Goan
MARGAO
As protests continued in Margao throughout Saturday, members of some of Salcete's village panchayats along with citizens lodged complaints against Subhash Velingkar at the police stations in their respective jurisdiction.
Sarpanchas, deputy sarpanchas and the Panchayat members of the village panchayats of Loutolim, Camurlim and Rachol jointly lodged a complaint with the Maina-Curtorim Police against Velingkar for disturbing the communal harmony of Goa by demanding a DNA test of the relics of St Francis Xavier.
Saying that Velingkar’s statement is prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony, the joint complaint said the former RSS Goa chief's comments not only hurt the sentiments of the Christians but all the devotees of St Francis Xavier across the world, across religious, caste and genders. They demanded the immediate arrest of Velingkar and action as per the law in force.
A delegation of sarpanchas of the village panchayats of coastal Salcete also called on the Colva police station and handed over a memorandum demanding the arrest of Velingkar. Colva Sarpanch Suzie Fernandes, Varca Sarpanch Salesiana Fernandes, Cavelossim Sarpanch Dixon Vaz, Carmona Sarpanch Sandra Fernandes, besides Panchayat members and citizens held a candlelight procession demanding justice.
A complaint was also lodged at the Fatorda police station by Margao Municipal Councillors and citizens from all three religious communities demanding action against Velingkar.
CM following up on case: Min
Salcete's lone Minister Aleixo Sequeira on Saturday said Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is personally following up on the case against Subhash Velingkar, exuding confidence that the matter will be taken to a logical conclusion soon.
While appealing to people to maintain calm, Sequeira said no one will be spared by the government. “The police have registered an FIR in the case. The police are looking out for Velingkar. He will be arrested by the police,” he said.
He added, ”As of now, we do not know where he is hiding. But I am confident the police will pick him up and arrest him.”
