On Saturday, 21st of this month, I went to Panjim to participate in the Rally to support the demand to get the real truth from the government of the cause of the death of activist priest, Fr. Bismark and who is really responsible for his death. At 3.00 PM I noticed a posse of Policemen, males and females in full uniforms with Lathis in their hands, standing against the parapet near the Ferry Jetty. At about 3.15 PM a few females with one male went there and stood against the parapet. One Policeman approached them telling to go from there otherwise they will be arrested. They moved from there and came to the opposite side and saw me talking to Kennedy Afonso who just reached there.
Within a few minutes the number of people swelled holding Black Flags and some wearing Black Headgears. Then at about 4.00 PM from the other side of the road opposite Ferry Jetty, people starting walking very peacefully to the Cross to Pray, to light Candles and to garland the Cross with Flowers. Somebody came with the Poster and a Banner of Fr. Bismark. While everything till now was going on smoothly and as media persons were clicking photos and video filming the movement that includes me too with a Camera in my hand, suddenly one Police Officer came and started shouting at the people to remove the Banner and Poster of Fr.Bismark, commanding to stop lighting Cndles to the Cross, snatching Black Flags from the hands of the people very roughly and even the Headgears.
While doing this the Policemen numbering over 50, did not show even human decency to the females proving that they treat their wives, sisters and mothers in a similar manner with rudeness. During this moment I noticed nothing but Salazar’s Raj in Goa, Hitler’s ruthlesness in these Policemen and Saddam Hussein’s anger. From their body language, expression and facial appearance I observed in them nothing but hatred for the people gathered there giving a communal touch to the whole episode.
Then these Policemen started pushing the gathered people into the waiting Police Buses, I saw three Buses, even females were pushed roughly. While I was clicking Photos, I saw one Policeman pointing his finger to me and directing another Policeman to catch me and push me into the Police Bus. Accordingly, the concerned Policeman came to me, put his hand around my neck. At this moment I politely asked him, “What?” He said go into the Bus and without any resistance I entered the Bus. From my Seat I expressed to the outside mediamen that “Salazar is still ruling Goa. There is no freedom in Goa, there is no democracy in Goa. That to say Goa is liberated is wrong, it is a fake liberation. Goa was not liberated on 19th December 1961 but conquered and as such Goans are treated like slaves”. Then our Bus started moving taking us to Anjuna Police Station.
After about 45 minutes we reached to our destination where in the Compound of Police Station we were let on our own. We were all standing listening to the speeches of some speakers among us, others were simply roaming in the Compound where the main Gate was kept open. Some people were freely moving out and after 45 minutes of simply waiting there, I too moved out and came on to the main road where I saw some of my friends waiting to see me. One of my friends then gave me a Scooter lift and dropped me to my place at Candolim.
Thus I got myself freed from the accidental arrest when I went there "with intentional court arrest".
A.Veronica Fernandes,
Candolim, Goa.
Tel: 7507394349.