On Saturday, 21st of
this month, I went to Panjim to participate in the Rally to support the demand
to get the real truth from the government of the cause of the death of activist
priest, Fr. Bismark and who is really responsible for his death. At 3.00 PM I
noticed a posse of Policemen, males and females in full uniforms with Lathis in
their hands, standing against the parapet near the Ferry Jetty. At about 3.15
PM a few females with one male went there and stood against the parapet. One
Policeman approached them telling to go from there otherwise they will be
arrested. They moved from there and came to the opposite side and saw me
talking to Kennedy Afonso who just reached there.
Within a few minutes the
number of people swelled holding Black Flags and some wearing Black Headgears.
Then at about 4.00 PM from the other side of the road opposite Ferry Jetty,
people starting walking very peacefully to the Cross to Pray, to light Candles
and to garland the Cross with Flowers. Somebody came with the Poster and a
Banner of Fr. Bismark. While everything till now was going on smoothly and as
media persons were clicking photos and video filming the movement that includes
me too with a Camera in my hand, suddenly one Police Officer came and started
shouting at the people to remove the Banner and Poster of Fr.Bismark,
commanding to stop lighting Cndles to the Cross, snatching Black Flags from the
hands of the people very roughly and even the Headgears.
While doing this the
Policemen numbering over 50, did not show even human decency to the females
proving that they treat their wives, sisters and mothers in a similar manner
with rudeness. During this moment I noticed nothing but Salazar’s Raj in Goa,
Hitler’s ruthlesness in these Policemen and Saddam Hussein’s anger. From their
body language, expression and facial appearance I observed in them nothing but
hatred for the people gathered there giving a communal touch to the whole
episode.
Then these Policemen started
pushing the gathered people into the waiting Police Buses, I saw three Buses,
even females were pushed roughly. While I was clicking Photos, I saw one
Policeman pointing his finger to me and directing another Policeman to catch me
and push me into the Police Bus. Accordingly, the concerned Policeman came to
me, put his hand around my neck. At this moment I politely asked him, “What?”
He said go into the Bus and without any resistance I entered the Bus. From my
Seat I expressed to the outside mediamen that “Salazar is still ruling Goa.
There is no freedom in Goa, there is no democracy in Goa. That to say Goa is liberated
is wrong, it is a fake liberation. Goa was not liberated on 19th December 1961
but conquered and as such Goans are treated like slaves”. Then our Bus started
moving taking us to Anjuna Police Station.
After about 45 minutes we
reached to our destination where in the Compound of Police Station we were let
on our own. We were all standing listening to the speeches of some speakers
among us, others were simply roaming in the Compound where the main Gate was
kept open. Some people were freely moving out and after 45 minutes of simply
waiting there, I too moved out and came on to the main road where I saw some of
my friends waiting to see me. One of my friends then gave me a Scooter lift and
dropped me to my place at Candolim.
Thus I got myself freed from
the accidental arrest when I went there "with intentional court
arrest".
A.Veronica Fernandes,
Candolim, Goa.
Tel: 7507394349.
