Mahila Congress demands clinic closure and licence revocation
Congress workers demand justice in the nurse's sexual assault case near the clinic of the accused, Dr Samuel.
Photo Credits: Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
The Congress party took out a morcha to rape accused Dr Samuel’s clinic and diagnostic centre at Chinchinim and demanded immediate closure of the clinic.
Carrying banners and armed with placards, the Congress workers turned their tirade against the government, demanding to know what has stopped the government from shutting down the clinic and diagnostic centre at Chinchinim run by the doctor.
Led by South Goa District Congress President Savio D’Silva, they demanded that the accused doctor should not be allowed to practise anywhere in the State, saying that women’s safety is paramount.
In her address, Congress Mahila Congress President Dr Pratiksha Khalap said there could be similar incidents involving women if the accused doctor gets bail. She demanded that the government should not only shut down the clinic but also take steps to revoke the licence and registration of the doctor to bar him from practice.
“What has happened to the young nurse cannot be accepted. The Congress party will never accept it. We fear there will be more such incidents if justice is not done to the victim,” she said.
In her fiery address, GPCC General Secretary Manisha Usgaonkar said crime against women has been on the rise in Goa in recent times. “When people look up to a doctor as God, just imagine how people would react to the allegations that a doctor has sexually assaulted a nurse working in the same clinic,” she questioned.
Manisha demanded to know whether the BJP-led government in the State is sleeping when crimes against women have been increasing day by day. “This only goes to show that there is no fear of the law and the law-enforcing agencies. The government must show that it is working in the interests of the safety and security of women,” she demanded.
Manisha warned that Mahila Congress workers will not hesitate to take out a morcha to the residence of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who also holds the Home portfolio if crimes against women do not stop immediately.
In his address, South Goa District Congress Chief Savio D’Silva said the authorities should not allow the clinic to run in Chinchinim when the doctor has allegedly molested his nurse.
Congress leader Moreno Rebello said the sexual assault incident on the young nurse shows the deteriorating law and order situation. Similar sentiments were expressed by Congress Mahila leader and Curtorim ZP member Michele Rebello, as she demanded stern action against the doctor.
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Cuncolim Police oppose bail plea of accused
MARGAO: The Cuncolim Police have strongly objected to the bail application filed by Dr Samuel Arawattigi, who was arrested in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a nurse employed at his clinic.
The bail plea came up for hearing at the South Goa Sessions Court, which heard partial arguments on Monday. The matter is scheduled to resume on May 8. Police sources confirmed their formal objection to the bail application, citing the seriousness of the charges and ongoing investigations.
