http://oheraldo.in/node/9192
Are the Minorities Safe in Goa? By Brig (Retd) Ian da Costa, Saligao There has been a spate of break-inn's and burglaries in Churches in Goa in the last few months. These places of worship have been desecrated and the minorities made to feel insecure in spite of the fact that our Police Force which is well equipped and has been strengthened in numbers in the last few years. People are not so sure that we have a secular Government ruling the State at present! The minorities are frustrated and apprehensive that the police officers and constables are not there for the protection of the weak minorities and their institutions and properties. They seem to turn a blind eye towards them whenever there is any incident involving destruction and damage to their property and person. FIR's are not recorded or are reluctantly recorded after much persuasion and pressure is brought to bear on the SHO's and PI's concerned. How is it, that none of the thirteen such cases reported since February 2005, have not been solved so far? How is it, that none of the dastardly vandals, who were perpetrators of these sacrilegious crimes, have been booked so far? I am surprised to have noted, that the Christian community has not protested vociferously and come out on the streets so far. Probably the authorities have not taken any action so far because they have taken them for granted as cowards capable of nothing more or better. Saleli in Satari Taluka received attention because the whole community united and stood up as one. Even the women sat out in a dharna and went on hunger strike. A few police officers and thirty constables were wounded in a stone throwing incident and the press and media spoke up. But the desecration of the Tabernacle of the St Cosme and Damian Church in Bogmalo (South Goa) has not caused the raising of an eyebrow. No minister, much less the Chief Minister has visited the place or instructed the police to trace the vandals. No assurances have been given, that such incidents will not be tolerated or allowed to be repeated. The minorities must unite and demand justice. Nothing is got in Goa by being goody- goody. The community may have to think in terms of raising a Krist Sena to protect their interests. We can get justice only if we fight for it and demand it and tell the authorities in no uncertain terms that they will be responsible for any consequences, if there is a violent outburst due to their inaction. -- Salaam ali kum. Gabe Menezes. London, England
