Miramar protest to highlight women’s safety blocked

PANAJI
Dozens of citizens arrived at Miramar to show solidarity and raise the issue of women’s safety in the wake of last week’s rape incidents but many more did not come because organisers said the Collector refused permission and they have decided to hold it again on Wednesday.

At least three busloads of policemen descended on the venue to prevent the event but those who assembled said they will organise it now on Wednesday.

According to Prakash Kamat, a journalist, and one of the organisers of the candlelight vigil said they sent out messages to people not to come on Sunday after the police and the authorities contacted them to put it off in light of section 144 which is in force due to the just concluded Assembly session and also Covid-19 related restrictions.

“We have now formally sought permission to hold the candlelight vigil on Wednesday evening and the deputy collector has assured me that he will issue it by Monday,” Kamat told the media.

He said the objective of the vigil is to raise public support for the issue of women’s safety in the wake of last week’s series of rape incidents and the government’s shoddy response.

“Only when people raise their voices on these issues do the law enforcing agencies and people in power take things seriously,” Kamat said.