Citizens vent online as demonstrations disrupted city life; organisers insist their focus remains justice for activist
PANAJI
The protests in Panaji on Friday, while aimed at demanding justice for activist Rama Kankonkar, left a bitter aftertaste among several sections of people who were caught in the chaos.
As hundreds took to the streets, roadblocks and demonstrations brought city traffic to a grinding halt, disrupting the daily lives of commuters that included parents, senior citizens, students, and local workers. Several locals vented their frustration online, recounting difficult encounters with protesters who, without prior notice, blocked key roads.
Several locals vent online as Friday’s protest paralysed city, diverted focus briefly and targeted a food delivery worker among others.
Some protesters even argued with police personnel, alleging rough handling during attempts to restore traffic. School children were reportedly among those affected by the blockage, local Roshan Naik stated.
In one of the viral videos, tensions ran high when a protester refused to budge, prompting police intervention. The demonstrator was pushed aside by the police, triggering fury among others in the crowd. The situation calmed, amidst which a handful of stranded vehicles were allowed to pass.
One incident drew particular attention when a delivery worker was stopped, and his two-wheeler registration was scrutinised. Protesters questioned his origin in Hindi, noting that the worker hailed from Nepal.
The second viral video saw several Goans on social media asking the protesters to stay on topic and not divert the demonstration from its original focus on Kankonkar. “Arey baba, please don’t go off the track. Please stick to the topic,” Ritesh Korgaonkar appealed while others voiced support for the delivery worker, highlighting the need for fairness and recognising the livelihoods of migrant workers. “People are asking him as if they are going to work as delivery boys for Swiggy,” remarked Sudarshan Gaonkar.
The episode sparked wider debate online, with locals pointing out that citizens often migrate for work and should not be targeted for their origin. “Empty vessels make more noise,” said Pritam Desurkar, while Shailesh Ambe added, “He is working hard; tomorrow the world will notice Goans working alongside others.”
“They say law and order failed. I would like to ask them – is this law and order, what they are doing?” questioned Harish Naik, clearly indicating anger over the disruption.
The protesters maintained that their goal remained justice for Rama Kankonkar and that any disruption to ordinary citizens was unintentional.
