PANAJI
Members of civil society will repeat their effort to hold a candlelight vigil in solidarity with victims of the recent spate of rapes at the Miramar beach in the capital on Wednesday evening after a similar attempt on Sunday was scuttled by the authorities citing Covid pandemic restrictions and Section 144 which was in force.
"We appeal to all citizens of Goa, youth and women, in particular, to join us in condemning the increase in violent and sexual crimes against women in Goa," said a press release issued by journalist Prakash Kamat, lawyers Anirudh Sinai Borkar and Harsha Naik, Aliya Abreu and Sangeeta Naik.
"Safety of all women is a fundamental right, wherever they may go or at whatever time they may go," the press release said, adding that the meet will also demand measures for increased safety for women in public spaces by the State administration, combined with strict and timely punishment for offenders and justice for the victims of such crimes.
The press release also called on the youth to spread the word of Wednesday's vigil on social media with the hashtag #MakeGoaSafe.
Adhering strictly to Covid norms such as social distancing and wearing masks while participating in the candlelight vigil is a must, the press release adds.
The candlelight vigil was earlier scheduled to be held on Sunday last but got scuttled after the police called in the organisers and asked them to put it off due to the Covid-19 pandemic related restrictions.
However, several people arrived at the venue at the appointed time on Sunday evening but they respected the orders of the local administration and desisted from conducting any activity other than some of the organisers and prominent individuals speaking to the media and voicing their angst over the rape incidents.
