The Ganv Ghor Rakhon Manch (GGRM) strongly condemns the violent and cowardly attack on Mr. C.S. Barretto of Assagao village .
The GGRM would like to draw to the attention of the Goan people and media that this attacks on Goan activists are being mounted by the builder lobby and those supporting them . 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,Anjuna,Colva to name a few including the search at Cortalim for supposed 'terrorists'; it includes the violence visited on anti-mining activists, the violent attacks on peaceful demonstrators in Quepem on the 11th of October, and their subsequent illegitimate arrest and detention. The GGRM points out that it sees this attack as an attempt to silence and subdue the village activicts by creating a fear pysicois in the minds of the villagers and the People of Goa who are making every atytempt to protect the goan identity and their right to the way the way of life . Speaking on behalf of its members, the GGRM points out though that they would not be cowed down by such attacks 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 its citizens.Thus encouriging these attacks to continue . s/d Geraldine Fernandes Convenor Ganv Ghor Rakhon Manch -- check ou www.ganvghor.blogspot.com GANV GHOR RAKHONN MANCH is an increasing collective of all village groups who are fighting to protect lives, livelihoods and environment in their villages