Submit memorandum to police officials seeking transfer; fear retaliation and allege mishandling of sensitive church incident
Colva villagers along with Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas and social activist Fidol Pereira discussing with DySP Sidhant Shirodkar over their demand to transfer of Colva PI Vikram Naik from the police station.
MARGAO
A day after his reinstatement, Colva villagers upped the ante in support of their demand for the immediate transfer of Colva Police Station in-charge, PI Vikram Naik, further demanding a probe into the February 11 Colva Church incident, including the circumstances leading to the police visit to the church, the manner in which it was conducted, and the handling of the subsequent protests.
In a memorandum submitted to Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Margao, DySP Sidhant Shirodkar at the Colva police station after a meeting with district Superintendent of Police, Santosh Desai, the villagers pointed out that early and decisive action on your part will go a long way in maintaining communal harmony and strengthening the bond between the police and the public in South Goa.
Aam Aadmi Party Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas went a step further, warning that the villagers will be compelled to make PI Vikram’s return to the Colva police station a national issue.
After the late night meeting held near the St Anthony Chapel, Colva, the villagers along with social activist Fidol Pereira called on the Benaulim MLA at his office on Friday morning, demanding to know the reasons behind the PI’s return to Colva again. The MLA feigned ignorance about the decision, saying that unlike his predecessor, the BJP dispensation does not take him into confidence on posting of officers at the Colva police station.
The MLA along with the villagers later went to the South Goa district headquarters, wherein they questioned SP Santosh Desai over PI Vikram’s reinstatement at the Colva police station after the February 11 transfer. Venzy pointed out that the villagers are living in fear since the time they came to know that PI Vikram has returned at Colva, apprehending that the police officer will seek revenge against them for getting him transferred on February 11 after his controversial presence at the Colva Church. “Instead of people demanding his transfer, PI Vikram should voluntarily ask the department not to send him to Colva to maintain peace in the village,” Venzy added.
The villagers later visited the Colva police station where they handed over a memorandum to DySP Shirodkar, demanding transfer of the police officer. They pointed out that the reinstatement of PI Vikram at Colva has once again triggered strong resentment among villagers, saying ‘posting him back would severely damage public confidence in the police and risk fresh agitation’.
In the memorandum, they demanded vigilance into the Colva Church incident, saying the incident had the clear potential to escalate into communal unrest in an otherwise peaceful and harmonious village like Colva. “Multiple complaints have already been filed by the Catholic Association of Goa and local residents with the Director General of Police, alleging unlawful entry into the church premises and inappropriate conduct,” the villagers pointed out, while demanding a Vigilance probe into the entire episode in the interest of justice, transparency, and to restore faith in the police machinery.
Activist Fidol Pereira told the media that she has filed a complaint with the State Police Complaint Authority (SPCA) against PI Vikram Naik based on what she termed as incriminating material in her possession. “Right now, I have handed over the material to the SPCA. If the PI is not transferred out of Colva, I will be forced to share the material with the villagers,” she warned.
DySP Shirodkar told the media that the demand of the villagers for PI Vikram’s transfer will be placed before the police higher ups for necessary action and decision. “The memorandum will be forwarded at the appropriate level for a decision,” he said.
