MARGAO
A tense situation prevailed in Cuncolim on Sunday after members of the Desai community, the mahajans of Shree Shantadurga Kunkalikarin Temple, took to the streets to protest against alleged remarks by activist Shreya Dhargalkar directed against the Naik-Desai community managing the temple.
After setting an ultimatum to the Cuncolim police on Sunday morning to arrest Shreya by evening, an irate mob blocked the NH66 at around 4.30 pm in front of the Cuncolim police station in support of their demand.
A large number of vehicles were stranded on the National Highway before the police diverted traffic.
It was only after Shreya tendered an apology to the public after her arrest that the protestors withdrew the road blockade, but not before traffic on the highway was disrupted for well over three hours.
That tension was brewing became evident when the committee members of Shree Shantadurga led by president Kavendra Desai addressed the media at the Cuncolim police station around noon to set an ultimatum to the police to arrest Shreya by evening.
Claiming that Shreya has made certain remarks at the Naik-Desai community, which he termed as derogatory, Kavendra demanded that Shreya should apologize for her remarks. He said Shreya made the remarks in connection with a property dispute raised by one Namita Fatarpekar with the Temple Devasthan.
Trouble began at around 4 pm when a large number of the Naik-Desai community members descended outside the Cuncolim police station. The Cuncolim police claimed they have arrested Shreya from Margao. However, after finding that the police were yet to bring Shreya to the Cuncolim police station, they blocked the NH66, paralyzing all traffic, and setting further deadline on the police to meet their demand before the situation goes out of control.
As the situation threatened to turn into a major law and order issue, Police mobilized additional force from the Margao and Vasco police subdivision.
Tension rent the air at the police station premises when the Police brought Shreya in a vehicle. The agitated mob rushed towards the premises. Even as the police escorted Shreya to the police station from the rear side, a couple of protesters came close to manhandle her. Shreya was seen falling down on the steps before lady police constables whisked her inside.
DySP, Vasco Santosh Desai, who hails from Cuncolim was drafted by the police to pacify the agitated crowd, but in vain, as they demanded that Shreya apologize to the Devasthan and the Naik-Desai community. Social Welfare Minister Subhash Faldesai, who rushed to the police station, made a fervent plea to the people to maintain clam.
Later in the evening, Shreya came out of the police station with an escort to apologize with folded hands, which was rejected by the crowd, demanding that she publicly express her apologies. Later she came out again to state that it was not her intention hurt anyone’s sentiments, adding that she is apologetic if her statement that had gone viral has hurt sentiments.
