PANAJI
Activist Rama Kankonkar has levelled serious allegations against political leaders and the Panaji police for compromising the investigation into the brutal assault at Caranzalem on September 18.
Discharged from the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC) on Saturday -- 23 days after the attack -- Kankonkar made direct accusations against the government.
Speaking to reporters from his wheelchair, the activist accused police of compromising the investigation and claimed that his repeated concerns over the possible involvement of politicians were ignored during the recording of his statement.
“PSI Manjunath Naik asked me all the questions except whether I suspect any political involvement. But I made it clear... There have been continuous attempts to target me, including efforts to get my bail revoked. It (the attack) has been a six-month continuous plan,” he said.
Kankonkar further stated that during his three-hour statement recording, he ensured to mention political connections. “Whatever I had to tell, I told. About politicians also I said...” he maintained.
He also clarified that he had no personal enmity with the eight accused arrested so far, claiming he neither met nor spoke to any of them. Asked about the mastermind, the activist was quick to state that it was for the police to reveal.
“I doubt about the Home Minister, who is also the Chief Minister (Pramod Sawant), and (Tourism Minister) Rohan Khaunte. I am openly saying this,” he said when asked by the media about who could be behind the attack.
He further recalled that on the fateful day, one of the attackers, wearing a pink shirt, kept saying during the assault: “Amcha amdarache nav ghan karta... Tuka ST portfolio zai”. “Police should find out who the MLA is of that attacker in the pink shirt,” Rama asserted.
Kankonkar also recounted that when his statement was read by the PSI, he noticed the omission of the Home Minister’s name despite having mentioned it. “I told the PSI to add it, and only then was it marked over the page of the statement,” he said.
He has now demanded an investigation by an external agency, out rightly stating he has no trust in the Home Department and the Goa police.
“Right from the day of the attack till today, the police have compromised the case. They refused to give me a copy of my statement despite a written request but leaked it to others first. There’s a clear coordination (nexus between the police and those involved in the attack),” he alleged. “I want a probe by an agency that is not under the Goa government,” he demanded.
