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This month's Goanet operations sponsored by an Anonymous Donor ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Documented by Goa Desc Resource Centre (GDRC) Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------- Communal Tiger's Habitat: How to Save Goa ----------------------------------------------- What happened on the night of Monday at the Siddha Math temple built on a hillock at Cacora, Curchorem is the manifestation of yet another attempt to ignite communal conflict in Goa. The desecration of the Shiv Linga at the temple shows that those who are behind it have deliberately chosen the twin cities of Curchorem-Sanvordem that witnessed communal trouble a year ago to give shape to their nefarious design. There are many areas in the country that are vulnerable to communal provocation. The troublemakers are trying their best to build their communal edifice on the ashes of communal harmony in Curchorem-Sanvordem. Riots are very alien to Goa. Prejudices might exist because of historical reasons, which might also express in various forms of activity, including cultural and political, but they never build up into a scheme of violence. The relationship between communities has been one of mutual respect and mutual tolerance. On a more positive note, we can actually find genuine harmony in various areas of activity. Somebody somewhere—and we can be sure of the role of provocative elements in both communities—is active to dent the nonviolent nature of the relationship between communities. We hope Goa does not become a prey to such elements. But our hoping for the best is not the way to get rid of such elements. A concerted effort has to be made by everyone, the government, the political parties, social workers and the residents of the twin cities. The magisterial inquiry report on Sanvordem-Curchorem riot had blamed the failure to control the riots on inadequate intelligence. First of all, we need to improve intelligence in this troubled zone to preempt miscreant designs. The policing of the area needs to be strengthened further with more force and more vigilance. But political parties have to play a key role. It would be the saddest day for Goa if the situation is used to mobilise votes for elections. At the public level, all the major political parties have blamed the Monday trouble upon miscreants. Hopefully, they maintain the same stand and join hands to help police track down the miscreants. The parties should also organise public meetings in the area not only to defuse the tension, but to motivate people from different communities to resolve their disputes, if any, amicably. The social workers who talk of "saving Goa" from the communal virus also cannot shirk their responsibility. They should leave their houses and camp in Curchorem-Sanvordem for a month or more, no matter what weather and what time of the day, and go from house to house and hold meetings to "disinfect" people's minds. If they continue with their habit of roaring in newspaper columns, the communal tigers will have carved out their first habitat in our pacific Goa. Social workers must work, and must work with the society. Plain bemoaning can only lead to louder bemoaning. ------------------------------------------------ Editorial in The Navhind Times 6/04/07 page 10 ------------------------------------------------- ====================================== GOA DESC RESOURCE CENTRE Documentation + Education + Solidarity 11 Liberty Apts., Feira Alta, Mapusa, Goa 403 507 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> --------------------------------------------------------- Working On Issues Of Development & Democracy ====================================== -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet-goanet.org/attachments/20070406/6813c326/attachment.html