VASCO
Former Sancoale Panch Govind Lamani along with other members of the Banjara community, filed a police complaint at the Verna police station on Tuesday, alleging that politician-cum-activist Pratima Coutinho had made derogatory comments about the Banjara community and insulted his wife, Anusha Lamani, a panch member.
All India Banjara Samaj National Vice President, Suresh Rajput, also voiced strong condemnation and demanded a public apology from Coutinho.
Govind Lamani expressed disappointment over remarks allegedly made by Coutinho during a recent meeting at the Sancoale panchayat. “I was deeply hurt because Pratima Coutinho said that ‘there are all Lamanis in the Sancoale Panchayat,’ portraying us in a negative light,” Lamani stated.
Lamani emphasised that the alleged remarks were particularly distressing given his family’s commitment to public service and questioned Coutinho’s intentions.
“Does she mean Lamanis are not human or that we cannot contest elections? Pratima Coutinho has failed to win elections but comes here to insult my wife and make remarks on her caste. This is the second time I’ve heard her make such remarks,” he said, adding that the matter prompted him to file a police complaint.
The incident has drawn significant attention from the Banjara community.
All India Banjara Samaj National Vice President, Suresh Rajput, voiced strong condemnation and demanded a public apology from Coutinho.
“We are a peaceful community in Goa, but we are often targeted for our caste. This behaviour is unacceptable. Anusha Lamani has every right to contest and hold office, and Pratima Coutinho has no authority to demean her. If an apology is not issued, we are prepared to escalate this to higher authorities, including the SC/ST forum, which could lead to non-bailable charges,” Rajput warned.
Rajput called for restraint but stressed that the community would not tolerate further disrespect. “We request Pratima Coutinho to publicly apologise to Anusha Lamani and refrain from using caste to belittle our community,” he added.
Sancoale panch booked for obstructing govt official, damaging documents
VASCO: Verna Police have registered a case against Sancoale Panch Tulshidas Naik, following accusations of having obstructed a government official and damaging official documents. The complaint was filed by Orville Vales, who currently serves as the officiating panchayat secretary of Sancoale.
According to the complaint, the incident took place on Tuesday, November 12, at around 11.10 am at the Sancoale Panchayat office.
Vales claimed that Naik allegedly obstructed him from performing his official duties and proceeded to tear or damage a government document. This incident has resulted in charges under Section 221 BNS and Section 3 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property (PDPP) Act.
PSI Anand Gaonkar of Verna Police Station is carrying out further investigation under the supervision of PI Melson Colaco and guidance of Mormugao DySP Gurudas Kadam.
