Members representing Scheduled Tribes (ST) have raised concerns and urged the Chief Minister to clarify his recent statement suggesting the presence of Urban Naxalites in Goa on December 30. Member of the ST community wrote to the Chief Minister who is also the Home Minister and the DGP to launch an investigation.
Activist Rama Kankonkar expressed dismay at the lack of response from the Chief Minister after requesting the apprehension of alleged Naxalites within 24 hours. "We had requested the chief minister to arrest the Naxalites that roam in Goa within 24 hours, however, a few days have gone by and the CM has not said anything," Kankonkar stated.
Kankonkar raised questions regarding the basis of the Chief Minister's statement. "The CM could have received information from the intelligence bureau or his party members, the police should find out the basis of the statement made by the CM,” Kankonkar added.
The ST community emphasized that if Naxalites indeed roam in Goa, the Chief Minister and DGP bear sole responsibility. “Members of the SC and St Communities roam across Goan villagers to educate the tribals on the LS elections, and if there are Naxals the chief minister should protect the people,” said Kankonkar.
Expressing distress, ST community members residing in rural forest areas have voiced fear for their safety following the statement. Demanding proof of the Chief Minister's claim and immediate action to apprehend any alleged Naxalites, the ST community has emphasised the need for concrete evidence to support such assertions.
“The people living in rural areas are scared because of the statement that the Chief Minister has made. The CM should clearly mention who the Naxals are and from where they have come. We live in forests away from the city, these people are scared since they don’t interfere with anyone,” said Vinay Velip Member of the Aadi Brigade.
As the Lok Sabha (LS) elections draw nearer, and the members of the SC and ST community demand a seat in the LS, there are suspicions among the ST and SC members that the Chief Minister intends to imply their association with Naxals due to their activities of raising political awareness while travelling to villages. “As a member of Aadi Brigade, my team members and I roam across villages during the day and night, to educate people about the Lok Sabha elections, is the CM trying to insinuate that we are naxals? We could also be arrested,” said Velip.
They demanded that the CM launch an investigation or apologise for the statement made.