The National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM) unequivocally condemns the heinous assault on adivasi youth leader, Rama Kankonkar on 18th September, the subsequent intimidation against another activist Swapnesh Sherlekar, and the alarming descent into lawlessness that these incidents in Goa exemplify.
It extends unwavering solidarity to Rama Kankonkar, Swapnesh Sherlekar and the people of Goa who continue to fight for justice, environmental protection, and the preservation of their collective identity.
NAPM demanded adequate protection to these activists, principled investigation to establish command responsibility and a review of the current unsustainable, unjust and unsafe ‘development’ model; fuelled by land mafias and casino interests.
It deplores that the attack on Rama Kankonkar by six people – carried out near the Children’s Park in Caranzalem, Goa, under the jurisdiction of the surveilling Smart City,- was not only physically brutal but symbolically degrading.
The assailants, armed with weapons, attacked Rama Kankonkar, smeared his face with cow dung and video graphed the assault, sending a chilling message: that struggles for justice and dissent will be met with public humiliation and brute violence. While Rama Kankonkar has faced attacks before, this assault—brazen and in broad daylight—marks a dangerous escalation.
NAPM said that it was not an isolated act, but at least three of the attackers are reported to have been previously involved in a physical assault in North Goa targeting another individual who had raised concerns over land rights. These patterns point to a deliberate strategy of intimidation, targeting those who challenge entrenched and powerful vested interests, it added.
Though over the past ten days in particular, civil society in Goa, joined by political voices across the spectrum, has expressed outrage and declared that enough is enough, NAPM deplores that Rama Kankonkar and activists in Goa also insist that those with actual political clout (allegedly affiliated to the ruling BJP in the state) who have orchestrated the attack, are yet to be arrested.
NAPM endorses the growing consensus within Goa’s civil society that the current development model, fuelled by land, mining mafias and casino interests is unsustainable, unjust and unsafe. The laws and policies that enable such predatory development must be repealed and radically reimagined.
NAPM demanded a thorough and principled investigation that brings to light and legal accountability, not only the actions of the physical perpetrators, but also establishes command responsibility of the key planners of the attack.
NAPM call upon the Govt to pursue the case to finality, including under the SC & ST (PoA) Act, 1989; ensure protection to the activists and extend full medical care and exemplary compensation to Rama Kankonkar.