BICHOLIM
Tense moments were witnessed in Sankhali after a huge number of BJP supporters assembled to counter the ‘Sadbuddhi Yatra’ which was undertaken by Congress near the residence of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Sunday.
The Yatra was immediately blocked by police after it got off and some Congress workers were forced into buses only to be released later.
One woman Congress activist alleged that the police tore her dress and manhandled her while some more activists also complained of assault by police.
Congress leaders condemned the police action and charged Sawant of misusing police machinery for political gains.
Around 100 Congress party workers led by its president Girish Chodankar and other leaders including mahila morcha activists had carried out a “Sadbuddhi Yatra” from the Sankhali junction to the residence of chief minister with the intention of presenting him a bouquet of flowers over his statement on the Benaulim gang-rape issue.
They were also to question Sawant on the government’s hasty move to pass the Bhumiputra bill in the Assembly on the last day of the session.
Earlier, a large number of BJP supporters assembled outside the residence of Sawant in anticipation of Congress Yatra that was announced on Saturday.
Hundreds of BJP workers who had gathered were seen sloganeering in support of CM and against Congress party.
A huge police force were present to prevent clashes between both groups.
Later, BJP workers gathered on the main road near the Sankhali community health centre and addressed an impromptu public meeting. Several speakers including BJP Mahila morcha president Sulakshana Sawant and others spoke lambasting the Congress party for taking undue mileage of issues.
A little ahead, Congress party activists were protesting against the police action of stopping their yatra that was scheduled to move to the residence of Sawant.
The police had blocked the main road by parking a bus right across the road.
Enraged Congress leaders said they would file a complaint in connection with the manhandling of a lady worker by the police.
The entire drama went on for over two hours even as heavy showers lashed the area.
Finally, the protestors were dispersed by a strong posse of police that was deployed. Bicholim taluka deputy Collector Deepak Vaigankar, SP, DySP Sandesh Chodankar and his team were present to control the situation.
Sankhali block president of BJP Gopal Surlakar who spoke to The Goan said people have shown their might on how they can rise up to the occasion in support of chief minister when the need arises.
President of BJP Yuwa Morcha Ganesh Ghadi said it is now time the Congress leaders have some sense instead of raking up non-issues.
