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Goa activists seek CBI probe into tribals’ murder

By IANS,

Panaji : Tribal leaders in Goa have demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged murder of two activists, who were killed during a protest rally.

Convenor of the United Tribals Alliance Association (UTAA) Prakash Velip told reporters here Friday that a magisterial enquiry, which was ordered by the Congress-led coalition government to probe the two deaths, was inadequate.

“The magisterial enquiry is making a mockery of the tribals’ deaths. There should be a criminal probe by the CBI. Nothing short of it will do,” Velip told reporters at a press conference in Panaji.

“The police have booked tribal activists and arrested them, but not a single person responsible for the deaths of Mangesh Gaonkar (26) and Dilip Velip (27) were arrested,” Velip said.

Mangesh and Dilip were burnt to death by unknown people during the fag end of a rally by tribals Wednesday demanding for their rights.

Tribal leaders claim that the men along with the police assaulted the peacefully protesting tribals and that the two were murdered first and then burnt by the mob with the tacit understanding of the police.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Ramesh Tawadkar, who is also part of the tribal alliance, said that he and his wife were assaulted by the same people during the rally.

“I have complained to the speaker about the police’s unwillingness to register a report,” Tawadkar said.