Shah Commission indicts Collector & Police in Balli violence

GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 20 April 2012 23:12 IST

Justice S K Shah Commission has held retired district magistrate G P Naik and top police officials responsible for the Balli violence that took place on 25 May last year during violent agitation by tribals.

While causing damage to public property, the incident had resulted into two tribal youth – Mangesh Gaonkar and Dilip Velip – being burnt to death in Achal building.

The commission however could not establish who were responsible for the killings.

The commission however also held two top police officials – South Goa SP Tony Fernandes and Cuncolim PI Tushar Vernekar – responsible for the violence by the tribals.

The report was accepted by the cabinet today, chaired by chief minister Manohar Parrikar.

There were two incidents taken place on 25 May, a day-long road blockade of NH17 and rail roko near Balli railway station by the tribals, followed by retaliation by the Balli villagers resulting into burning Adarsh Bhavan and Achal cashew factory and burning down two tribal youth to death.

Justice Shah commission stated that district magistrate Naik and SP Fernandes were “responsible for manhandling the situation which arose due to the agitation organized by United Tribals Association Alliance (UTAA) at Balli and also for not taking effective steps to prevent and pre-empt the agitation from occupying the National highway and causing loss and damage to railway property.”

The commission has thus recommended “disciplinary action for imposition of major penalty proceedings” against district magistrate Naik, SP Fernandes and PI Vernekar.

Though retired, the Commission has recommended departmental proceedings against Naik with the sanction of the President of India under rule 9 (2) (b) of the Pension rules.

Following pressure from the agitators, Naik was earlier suspended by then chief minister Digambar Kamat one day prior to his retirement.

However, his suspension was later revoked while considering suspension period as period spent on duty for the purpose of drawing pension.

Though the inquiry report could not establish who burnt down the buildings and two tribal youth, it stated that “it would have been possible for PI Vernekar to prevent the fire... and consequently preventing the loss of two lives, had he rushed to the spot with about 20-25 policemen.”

The commission primarily held Naik and Fernandes responsible for not taking preventive measures in order to avoid the whole day-long incident.

In spite of being fully aware that around 9000 tribals would gather at Balli junction for road and rail roko, the commission observed that only 100 police personnel were mobilise by the district law and order machinery from Margao and Vasco.

The commission was also not convinced with the reasons given by Naik for ordering the lathicharge.

While stating that the UTAA leaders did not hide the fact that they had mobilised people for road and rail roko, the commission could not establish that the UTAA leaders had instigated its members to create violence.


goanews.com is now on Telegram & also Youtube. Kindly subscribe for free & remain updated.


Drop a comment

Enter The Code Displayed hereRefresh Image


Latest News

Other Issues

Desktop Site