Team Herald
PANJIM: Protesters gathered at Siolim church promenade on Sunday evening vehemently demanded the arrest of Subhash Velingkar for allegedly hurting Catholic sentiments by using hate speech against St Francis Xavier.
They condemned the language used by Velingkar and said that they want nothing short of arrest of Velingkar.
Former Siolim-Sodiem sarpanch Francis Fernandes, speaking on the occasion, condemned the language used by Subhash Velingkar and said that these were deliberate attempts to create a communal divide and the government had totally failed in maintaining peace and communal harmony.
"We want immediate arrest of Subhash Velingkar. The chief minister who also holds home portfolio has completely failed in his duty to maintain peace in the state and take to task such forces creating communal divide."
Similar sentiments were also echoed by former Siolim Marna sarpanch Sylvester Fernandes. Others who spoke were Brenda Lobo, Alister Gomes, Santosh Govekar and other residents of Siolim.
Protesters were seen demanding arrest of Subhash Velingkar for trying to disturb peace of the State. A strong posse of policemen were also deployed to prevent any untoward incident.
Later a signature campaign was launched seeking arrest of Velingkar and the copy was later handed over to acting Anjuna PI Nikhil Palyekar. The residents through the complain copy have charged Velingkar for disturbing communal peace and have sought his immediate arrest.