It is now over a week that this news has been buzzing all over Candolim and other parts in Calangute constituency. As per the information I gathered, a lady panch member of Candolim Panchayat complained to the Calangute Police station saying that she was molested by two persons from Candolim. Earlier the same lady similarly complained to the Calangute Police Station saying that she was molested by another man from Candolim only. It looks ridiculous to know that these cases are happening to the same lady twice. As for me I find it difficult to believe this news because I know both these men including the first one too thoroughly well and as such they will never commit such a scandalous act. I can easily vouch for their integrity that they will never do this act.
Incidentally, all the three accused men are prominent public figures and well known activists in Candolim. There is a move in my constituency to liquidate those who oppose ODP while all the three activists are the strong opponents of PDA and ODP which according to them will do more harm than good. It is rubbish to accept the statement that “if the ODP plan is approved there will be lot of development in the Calangute constituency”. But this development will come at what cost? At the cost of our houses, fields and other properties which will go into the hands of builders who by being in close association with the big man of the constituency will definitely destroy the natural beauty of Calangute constituency and also the livelihood of the locals.
To molest any lady is not that simple especially when there are so many people around the lady. By filing false cases it looks this lady is trying to finish the activists from Candolim and get her and her mentor benefits thru builders who will not only molest but rape our land which is so important for us. I strongly feel that she must be sent to the psychiatrist for measuring her mental capacity. Otherwise, she will again come up with more such cases against the innocent locals.
We are in the Lent season and as said in the Bible “we must not give the false testimony against anybody”. I feel now the Church leaders of Candolim Church must interfere in this matter and question that lady why she does this type of anti-Christian acts of filing false cases. The local Pe.Vigar as the fatherly figure and being the head of Catholicism in Candolim, should use his prerogative to put an end to this type of cheap politics to quench the thirst of revenge by the elected representatives. Many of the ills of our society will get eradicated only if our Church is active in correcting the wrong doers. The statement of the Church leaders namely Pe. Viars and Pe.Curs saying "MAKAM KITEAK PODDLAM" will not help us in anyway. It should be like this "hem makam poddlam" and since this is the case I must interfere in this matter since both the parties are Catholics.
A.Veronica Fernandes.