MARGAO: Convenor of United Tribal Alliance Association (UTAA) Prakash Velip has preferred not to comment on the South Goa Sessions Court’s verdict on the death of the two tribal youth, Manguesh Gaonkar and Deelip Velip on May 25, 2011.
“I have not gone through the Court order, but have come to know through the media that the case has ended in an acquittal. The Court must have passed the order on merits. It is for the government to take a call on whether to challenge the order in the higher court or not,” Praskash Velip told The Goan.
Velip said he would like to first go through the Court order before opting to make any statement on the verdict. The tribal youth Manguesh Gaonkar and Deelip Velip were found dead in the Achal cashew factory which was set afire by a mob in retaliation to the violent incidents that occurred on the national highway at Balli following a road blockade by UTAA on May 25.
The two tribal youngsters along with many others had taken shelter in the building to escape the fury of the mob. While many were rescued and evacuated from the building, the duo, who were trapped inside the building were later found dead.
As already reported, Balli village was rocked by violence on May 25, 2011 after agitated tribals under UTAA banner had clashed with police in support of their 12-point charter of demand, leaving a number of policemen and activists injured and around a dozen government vehicles either torched or damaged.
In retaliation, locals from Balli village directed their ire at the tribals. A strong mob later marched to the building and godown of Adarsh Cooperative society building headed by UTAA President Prakash Velip and set it on fire. The violent mob also torched around six four-wheelers and some motorcycles.
