When the BBC London, in its 1730 (IST) news bulletin on 20th December, 1986 announced the Headline news -- and a comment from its then correspondent Mr Mark Tully, --- stating that " one killed in police firing " it was the first martyr who laid his life for the cause of Konkani -- young Mr Floriano Vaz, belonging to the ST community of Gogal in Fatorda was short point blank by police officer Mr G Mhapne allegedly for blocking the vehicle of a prominent Hindu Brahmin industrialist at Gogal.
Later in another shocking tragedy not exactly connected with the language issue -- in fact they had more to do with the award of tender of fishing rights at Neura (manus) but with communal sentiments highly surcharged in the polarised atmosphere caused by the language issue six persons were shot dead. They too were later considered as Martyrs for the cause of Konkani. Their mortal remains are in a niche at the cemetry of Church of St Lawrence at Agacaim Tiswadi (Ilhas) Goa There is also a dilapidated structure without lights on its lamp posts around a specially built Memorial facing the main NH 17 just at the entrance of the Church steps facing the Main bazaar. There is also a plague and photographs now in bad shape of a) Dias Cajetan b) Fernandes Audrin c) Fernandes John d) Gonsalves Inacio e) Gracias Mathew f) Pereira Joaquim These seven martyrs must be turning into their graves on realising that the cause for which they died was not worthy of considering that the Catholic community sacrificed its life only to benefit a section of the Hindu Brahmin Community, given that Konkani in Roman script was not given official recognition on 4th February, 1987. Ironically it was Mr Uday Laximikant Bhembre who inaugurated this memorial and shed "tears" then who is now confirmed as the staunchest protoganist of KONKANI ONLY IN THE DEVANAGARI SCRIPT. GODFREY J I GONSALVES BORDA MARGAO GOA [EMAIL PROTECTED]