Right-wing group behind painting Pak flag on road, allege Canacona leaders

A delegation of Canacona leaders met Canacona PI Harish Raut Desai and demanded stern action on the alleged activities of a right-wing organisation allegedly involved in creating communal tension in Canacona.

Goa Forward Party leaders Prashant Naik, Pandurang Gaonkar, Vikas Bhagat Bhagat, Remy Borges, Umesh Tubki, Congress leaders Janardhan Bhandari, Gaspar Coutinho, youth leader Vaishnav Pednekar, Ramu Naik were among those who called on the Canacona police inspector.

They enquired with the police inspector on the delay in finding and arresting culprits in the incident, following a complaint filed by Speaker and Canacona MLA Ramesh Tawadkar.

Later addressing a news conference outside the police station, the leaders claimed that PI Raut Desai had informed them that he has 14 days to complete the investigation and just 4 days had been over since the complaint is filed.

He is also reported to have informed the delegation that necessary investigations are being carried out and culprits will be brought to book.

GFP General Secretary Prashant Naik said the entire incident had been preplanned.

“Everybody in Canacona knows who played the mischief and painted the Pakistani flags on the roads. So how can one expect the police to be still unaware,” asked Naik. “If the culprits are not arrested within 7 days, we are going to appeal to senior authorities like the SP, IGP and DGP. There is an attempt to disturb communal harmony and those culprits trying to vitiate this communal harmony in Canacona should be taken to task.”

GFP Environment Cell Chairman Vikas Bhagat said the overall impression was that a group had drawn the Pakistani Flag on the road to spread rumours and create chaos and riots. “Such communal riots had been previously fuelled by rumours at Curchorem some years ago."

Others who spoke to media persons included Janardhan Bhandari, Pandurang Gaonkar, and Gaspar Coutinho.