GGRM condemns violent assault on activists

The Ganv Ghor Rakhon Manch (GGRM) strongly condemns the violent and cowardly attack mounted on activists Aires Rodrigues and Prajal Sakhardande on the night of 0ctoer 13 2008.

The GGRM would like to draw to the attention of the Goan people and media that this attack has brought the attacks on Goan activists to a new low. GGRM has pointed out that there have been attacks on activists for a while now. This has included the police harassment meted out to activists in Benaulim, including the search at Cortalim for supposed 'terrorists'; it includes the violence visited on anti-mining activists, including the violent attacks on peaceful demonstrators in Quepem on the 11th of October, and their subsequent illegitimate arrest and detention. The attacks on Aires Rodrigues and Prajal Sakhardande have however taken this harassment too far.

The GGRM points out that it sees this attack as an attempt to silence and subdue not only Adv. Aires Rodrigues and Prof. Prajal Sakhardande but the rest of the Goan population. Speaking on behalf of its members, the GGRM points out though that they would not be cowed down and would continue to speak up in a democratic and non-violent manner against vested interest seeking to convert public wealth into private profits.

The GGRM also indicates that it is time for the State and official organs like the police to step up and bring the offenders to task and to enforce a social environment where peaceful and democratic protests can continue in security. For too long now, as in the cases cited above, the State has been complicit in these acts of aggression against citizens. It should be recognized, GGRM points out, that the assault on Adv. Rodrigues and Proff. Sakhardande has been made possible, because of the environment created by the State and its official organs.

s/d
Geraldine Fernandes