The dastardly daylight assault on activist Rama Kankonkar once again marks a disturbing escalation in Goa’s increasingly fragile law and order landscape, this one sending a chilling message to those who dare to raise their voices. Kankonkar, known for his fierce outbursts on social media, was punched, kicked, thrashed by cables, smeared with cow dung, and threatened with dire consequences by a group of six assailants. The ominous threat held out by attackers —“Do you wish to be the protector of Goa? Let us show you”.
This attack adds a new dimension to the dangerous trend of lawlessness that Goa has been witnessing in recent times because an activist has been mercilessly assaulted. Such incidents are not isolated; they are symptomatic of deeper issues within the system, where the right to expression and freedom of speech, as bestowed in the constitution, remain doubtful. This assault is emblematic of a covert attempt to intimidate and suppress activism, and by extension, free speech. It signals a shift with the message that questioning authority can have dangerous consequences.
While in a recent interview, the Director General of Police brushed aside concerns of gang wars and organised crime in the State, this attack has taken the component of “fear and insecurity” to another level. There are major societal implications here. Goa was once considered a peaceful haven, where harmony among its various sections was a highlight. Cut to the current time, the State has seen gun culture, ruthless attacks, and murders, some of them in broad daylight, and now attacks on the very voices that speak up.
Police have launched a manhunt, and they appear to be working on the clues provided by Kankonkar that one of the accused is from Santa Cruz, a member of a gang. Five arrests have been made in late-night swoop down. In the case of the Mungul encounter, police swiftly rounded off 25 individuals. Swift arrest is part of the follow-up, but the process cannot end there because the question is not about arrests alone. Police need to set deterrents through sustained crackdowns, handling goons with impunity.
The inability of law enforcement to stem this rising tide of attacks fosters a sense of insecurity among citizens. Moreover, when activists and those raising voices and fighting for people’s rights are being targeted, it signals a systemic failure. This disturbing trend erodes the social fabric, fostering fear and distrust among citizens. It discourages activism, free expression, and civic participation, the very cornerstones of a healthy democracy. When those who speak out against corruption or maladministration are assaulted at will and when the State fails to defend them, there is something seriously wrong.
Law enforcement and the police leadership must move beyond political patronage of gangs and goondas. Irrespective of affiliations and connections, the police must launch a massive clean-up of all anti-social elements. Not periodic. The government must also ensure that those raising issues are protected, not targeted for their role in holding power to account. In essence, the assault on Kankonkar is not merely an attack on an individual but a stark warning. It must be dealt with in all its gravity. The path forward requires a firm resolve and firm action, and an unwavering commitment to lasting peace.
