Mob violence in Benaulim:BVAC denies involvement

HERALD REPORTER, Margao, Sept 17 –
The Benaulim Villagers Action Committee (BVAC) – spearheading the anti-mega housing stir – has vehemently denied the involvement of any of its activists or any villager in the attack on the houses of Benaulim Sarpanch Carmelina Fernandes and Panch member Xavier Pereira.
BVAC Chairperson Geraldine Fernandes told Herald that she and other activists had dropped all the people to their houses by midnight after returning from the police station. “There’s no question of any BVAC activist of Benaulim villager involved in the attack. Even the Parish Priest Fr Anthony Vaz ensured that everyone was dropped home by 12 pm. So, the question of any villager or activist involved in the attack is ruled out”, she asserted.
In fact, she said this is again a ploy by the Sarpanch and the police to implicate innocent villagers in the attack. Asked who could have carried out the attack on the houses, Geraldine said it could be that it was done on purpose just to file false cases and frighten the agitators.