‘Desecration incidents have stopped since Francis’ arrest’ - NT

February 21, 2018
PANAJI

Minister for Public Works Ramakrishna ‘Sudin’ Dhavalikar on Tuesday said that the incidents of desecration of various holy crosses and other religious structures in Goa, especially in south Goa, have completely stopped since the arrest of Francis ‘Boy’ Pereira.

“Although the court has discharged him from 11 cases out of the total 19 cases, seven of them against him are still pending in the south Goa court,” he observed, adding that vigilance is being maintained in the state to prevent any

such future incidents. “The police are also patrolling the areas during night time,” he added.

The police had arrested the 50-year-old Pereira in connection with the alleged desecration of holy crosses in south Goa district in July 2017.

Earlier, leader of the Opposition, Chandrakant ‘Babu’ Kavlekar, in a Zero Hour Mention pointed out to the state legislative assembly that the people of Goa had sensed relief with the arrest of Pereira, but with the cases against him collapsing in the court of law, the possibility of someone else being responsible for these incidents of desecrations, has come to the fore.

Dhavalikar, replying to another Zero Hour Mention as regards the non-completion of the Benaulim-Sinquetim bridge, from Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao, said that the bridge is 50 per cent complete and could not progress further, as people have complained about its approach roads being very close to the houses.

“If the people give me their NOC, I will immediately start the work for the bridge,” he added.

Alemao said that the closing of the bridge is politically motivated and nothing to do with the public. He also offered to bring consent signatures of the people for completion of the bridge.

Meanwhile, legislator of St Andre, Francis Silveira, in a Zero Hour Mention stated that the government needs to build a retaining wall, put up barricades and construct speed breakers at the junction between the national highway at Old Goa and Santana, Talaulim. “There is sharp turn at the junction and in all, 19 accidents have taken place at this location within last one-and-a-half year,” he informed the House.

Dhavalikar, who is also the Transport Minister, stated that in case of availability of land, he would get all these works done in two months’ time.

http://www.navhindtimes.in/desecration-incidents-stopped-since-francis-arrest/