Presence of cops sparks tension as party workers barred from submitting memorandum to PWD official
In a brief scuffle with police, North Goa District Congress President Virendra Shirodkar’s shirt was torn as party workers pushed their way to the PWD Executive Engineer’s office in Mapusa on Thursday morning.
THE GOAN NETWORK
MAPUSA
A peaceful protest by Congress workers demanding urgent road repairs in the Saligao constituency took a dramatic turn on Wednesday, when a large posse of police personnel allegedly prevented them from submitting a memorandum at the Executive Engineer's (PWD Roads) office in the Mapusa government complex.
The confrontation, which was intended as a symbolic protest against the “deplorable” state of roads in Saligao, resulted in a mild scuffle between the police and party workers.
In the chaos, the shirt of North Goa District Congress President Virendra Shirodkar was torn, prompting sharp criticism of the government's handling of civic grievances.
“I am not worried about my shirt being torn. What concerns me is the blatant attempt to suppress a peaceful democratic act. We were not even allowed to enter and hand over a memorandum. There were about 25 policemen deployed – it felt like we were being treated as criminals. I think even Hitler's rule had more order than this government,” a visibly upset Shirodkar told The Goan.
The Congress delegation, comprising district and block-level leaders, had arrived at the PWD office to formally raise concerns over the crumbling road infrastructure in Saligao.
However, their attempt was thwarted when they found the office of the Executive Engineer (Roads) locked, with no official present to receive the memorandum.
“This is shocking. Not only was the official absent, but the police tried to block our peaceful entry. What are they trying to hide?” questioned Atul Naik, President of the Saligao Block Congress Committee.
Naik described the road conditions in Saligao as “unfit for use,” citing several stretches that pose a threat to both pedestrians and motorists.
“The road from Saligao junction to the Pilerne Industrial Estate is in such a pathetic state that people cannot even walk on it. With the monsoons upon us, it’s a disaster waiting to happen,” he warned.
The Congress leaders also targeted Saligao MLA Kedar Naik, accusing him of making hollow assurances.
“He had promised that the roads would be repaired before the monsoons. It’s June and nothing has moved on the ground. People are angry, and rightfully so,” Naik said.
The protest was symbolic but the strong police presence sparked concerns about the administration's growing intolerance to public criticism.
“We are citizens of a democracy, not an authoritarian regime. If we can’t hand over a memorandum to a government officer without being manhandled, what does it say about governance today?” Shirodkar added.
