the goan I network
MAPUSA
Maintaining that the State administration was insensitive to people, Congress spokesperson Amarnath Panjikar on Wednesday said the Bardez BDO has been issuing dates after dates to villagers of Golna, Pomburpa just to issue a medical certificate of a deceased.
“The action of Bardez BDO who has been postponing decision to provide information sought by locals of Golna, Pomburpa clearly indicates that this government is not functioning. Instead of releasing proper information, government officials are harassing the villagers on flimsy reasons,” said Panjikar, while addressing a news conference in the presence of the villagers in the North District Congress office, Mapusa on Wednesday.
Recounting the chain of events, Panjikar disclosed that a non-Goan had died allegedly under mysterious condition on July 28 last year and she was cremated in Olaulim-Pomburpa crematorium without following the due process. He said the villagers suspected foul play and sought information from Olaulim-Pomburpa panchayat.
“The panchayat secretary provided the death certificate but was unable to provide medical certificate, the villagers approached the BDO,” he said.
The Congress spokesman said that instead of furnishing details of the cause of death of the deceased, the BDO went on postponing the decision for five times and has now called the locals again on January 8.
He said the cremation ground belonged to villagers and locals had a right to seek relevant information as they have a procedure while cremating a body. He further said that if procedures were bypassed then anyone could be murdered and brought and cremated in village crematoriums.
“If there is no issue, what stops the administration to provide relevant medical certificate of the deceased? We appeal to the BDO not to harass the villagers but to provide proper information and resolve the matter once for all,” Panjikar said.
The Congress spokesman warned that if the BDO failed to provide relevant information by January 8, then the villagers will be forced to storm his office in Mapusa.
He said similar shocking incidents have happened in the village in the past and recalled the death of Januz Gonsalves whose body was disposed off from GMC morgue and cremated before his funeral could take place.
