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I have yesterday successfully prevailed upon Mr. Anthony Frois, uncle of the 13 year old girl allegedly molested by Ribandar Parish Priest Fr. Newton Rodrigues not to go on his scheduled hunger strike. Mr. Frois was to sit on a hunger strike on Saturday 9th October before the residence of Chief Minister at Althinho in protest against the Goa Police for dragging its feet in the investigations of the molestation case. In an hour-long meeting with Mr. Frois yesterday in the presence of seniors from the village, I appealed to Mr. Frois that the police be given time to complete its investigations and charge sheet the Parish Priest as undertaken by the Police in the High Court on 16th September. Admitting with Mr. Frois that the parish priest's conduct had tarnished the name of the village I expressed confidence that the sacrifices made by the Ribandar parishioners would bring justice to parishioners across Goa who may be facing such acts of sexual exploitation. It was also agreed that immediate action should be taken against those who are pressuring the victim and her mother to hush up the matter by withdrawing their complaint against the parish priest. There is no denying that the charge of molestation registered against Fr. Newton Rodrigues is of a very serious nature especially in view of the fact that the victim is a minor girl and that the Parish Priest had allegedly committed the offence in the Church premises and that the law does not discriminate on the social status of the offender. Aires Rodrigues Ribandar
