Report in the Goa Paper The Herald on communal violence in Margao

Where fights assume communal overtones!

BY HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JUNE 29 – From a “mini-India” a few years back to Goa’s most communally-sensitive area, the Rumdamol Housing Board – located on the outskirts of Margao – has indeed come a long way. Politicians and local residents once took pride in the harmonious co-existence of groups hailing from across the country. But not anymore, as the locality has slided down into a most communally sensitive zone, where petty and individual fights flare up and assume communal overtones. Take note, even a road accident acquires communal colour in this migrant hub, polarizing the two major communities on communal lines. Admittedly, it was not just the eveteasing incident that put the Housing Board on the boil for two days. The demographic imbalance slowly tilting in favour of the migrant minority community had raised enough suspicions amongst the majority community and Goans inhabiting the locality. The overnight construction of a temple in an open space early this year, apparently to send a strong indication of the presence of the majority community in the locality, had fanned enough suspicions on both sides of the line. Indeed, simmering tensions, suspicions and hatred on both sides were palpable for quite some time and the communal volcano only erupted on Friday over a petty altercation. Adding another dimension to the already complex situation is the angry reaction from the minority community on Friday. For, perhaps the first time, angry Muslim youth organized themselves into a group to retaliate against a Bajrang Dal leader, who they accuse of fomenting trouble and unleashing violence against minority community members in recent times. Indeed, Bajrang Dal, the youth wing of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad,, has been active in the Housing Board locality for some time, especially amongst migrants amongst the majority community. Attempts to take our morchas and rallies by the saffron brigade in the Housing Board in the last one year is an open secret now. Saffron flags flying atop public places and residential houses is not uncommon in the Housing Board locality. That the minority community has organized itself on Friday and was ready to defend itself against further violence from the other side has begun to give heartburns to the men-in-uniform, who now fear the worst if the communities come face to face. And, aggravating the already surcharged atmosphere in the locality is the presence of outside elements during times of trouble. Both sides claim that outsiders instigate and foment trouble in the locality, shattering peace and tranquility. Says Rumdamol Deputy Sarpanch and Bharatiya Janata Party leader, Ulhas Tuemkar: “People yearn for peace. All problems need to be settled in the locality itself. The panchayat will take the initiative to form committees of both communities to address recurring problems. The police should be prompt in cracking a whip against troublemakers from both sides.” Former Sarpanch and BJP activist, Shaikh Jina echoes similar sentiments. “People from outside Rumdamol should stay away from the locality and allow the local populace to solve their grievances. The police should also make their presence felt and gain confidence of both the communities.”