-- Samir Umarye BICHOLIM MARCH 1: Tensions ran high in Bicholim due to the issue of illegal cow slaughter in the area with complaints and counter complaints being registered and the people marching to the police station against the illegal activities.
According to the available information today, at about 6.00 am the police raided a slaughter house at Nagzarwada Bicholim after receiving a complaint from the Bajrang Dal North Goa Goraksha Chief, Sunil Gaonkar. The BMC councillor, Bhagwan Harmalkar also accompanied the police team and caught four persons red handed while slaughtering 3 bullocks. The police also attached more than 18 other bullocks and cows brought for slaughter and later handed them over to the Bicholim Municipal Council. After the police team reached the spot three animals were already slaughtered. The police arrested four persons including Abdul Kadar Bepari, Ismail Husain Bepari, Salim Abdul Bepari and Samir Hanif Bepari under section 429 IPC and Section 8 of Goa Animal Preservation Act. Later they were released on bail. The problem started when some of the women tried to intervene in the process of the police they also threatened the councillor, Bhagwan Harmalkar. In the mean time a Home Guard attached to the Bicholim Police, Maheshwar Rajendra Pednekar also supported the women. Later, the relatives of the accused along with the Home guard filed a complaint against Harmalkar. In the evening the tension started when the people from Bicholim came to know that a false complaint was filed against Harmalkar and that he is likely to be arrested. A meeting was immediately called in the Deendayal Hall chaired by the Bicholim MLA, Rajesh Patnekar and several other social organisations to protest agaist the slaughter of cows in Bicholim. BMC councillor, Satish Gaonkar and other councillors were also present for the meeting. The Bicholim Goraksha samiti was also formed under the Presidenship of Bhagwan Harmalkar and it was decided that no one would be allowed to slaughter animals in Bicholim. The issue of false complaint was also raised and the people later marched to the police station protesting against the police for entertaining a false complaint. The Bicholim MLA, Rajaesh Patnekar demanded immediate withdrawal of the complaint. The mob was dispersed only when Bicholim PI, Braze Menezes assured that the matter would be amicably solved and there would be no arrest of the councillor. Harmalkar later filed a counter complaint against the home guard, Maheshwar Rajendra Pednekar for threatening him to kill.
