MARGAO
The 94-year-old mother of Aam Aadmi Party working president and Chinchinim Sarpanch Gerson Gomes joined AAP leaders and citizens at the Cuncolim police station to demand action against Malcolm Pereira in connection with the assault on her son.
In another development, Malcolm has joined the police investigation in the FIR registered against him for the assault on the Chinchinim Sarpanch. While he was told to appear before the police on Wednesday evening, Malcolm, along with his lawyer, made his presence felt at the police station in the morning and complied with the notice.
Unhappy with the Cuncolim police over its failure to arrest the accused, AAP leaders and villagers led by Goa president Valmiki Naik launched a campaign against BJP's Gundaraj on the grounds that, despite the attack on AAP working president and Sarpanch Gerson Gomes, police refused to arrest the accused, BJP worker Malcolm Pereira.
AAP president Valmiki Naik said over the last few years, be it attacks on activists or political leaders, the government was seen shielding the attackers. This government is bringing and promoting Gundaraj in Goa. He appealed to Goans to unite and fight this Gundaraj, he added.
Protesters were also joined by Gerson’s 94-year-old mother, who demanded to know why the police had not yet arrested the assailant who attacked her son at the Chinchinim Panchayat office.
AAP MLA Cruz Silva pointed out that it was a shame and failure of the system that today a 94-year-old woman has to come to the police station to demand justice for her son.
MLA Capt Venzy Viegas stated that the message BJP is sending is that, as long as you are with BJP, you can do anything to anyone, whether an elected representative or in government.
AAP Sr Vice President Sandesh Teleikar-Dessai stated that this attack is not just an attack on a person but on the position of Sarpanch. And the laxity on the BJP's behalf is proof that they stand with the attacker, not the victim, he said.
The Cuncolim police have taken the stand that the police cannot arrest Malcolm for the simple reason that the offence under which he is booked prescribes punishment of less than seven years.
Meanwhile, the anticipatory bail application filed by Malcolm Pereira will come up before the South Goa Sessions Court on Thursday.
