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Indian Catholics condemn police use of force on protesters

Group seeks answers into mysterious drowning death of former priest
Indian Catholics condemn police use of force on protesters
Published: November 23, 2015 09:50 AM GMT
Updated: November 22, 2015 11:36 PM GMT

Indian Catholics have condemned the use of force by police on 250 protesters who were demanding a fair investigation into the alleged murder of a former priest who led protests against the exploitation of the environment.

Police in Goa arrested and later released on Nov. 21 105 people who were seeking answers into the death of former Blessed Sacrament Father Bismarque Dias, whose body was fished out of Mandovi river on Nov. 7, two days after he went missing.

Police initially attributed his death to drowning, but Dias' friends and relatives suspected foul play, a belief they say was strengthened after Dias' blood-stained clothes washed ashore two weeks after his death.

His burial and funeral have been delayed as friends and family are demanding a thorough investigation into his death.

Dias fought against illegal mining and opposed land projects such as hotels, golf courses and an airport on the grounds that such projects irreversibly destroy land, trees, water sources and the environment. 

The protesters dressed in black and white, attempting to call attention to the slow pace of the investigation. Witnesses said police disrupted the protest by force and intimidation, arresting more than 100 people.

Sudip Dalvi, an associate of Dias, said he was attacked by police during the protest.

A police officer "punched me and shoved me into the police van. He then banged my head against the iron grill of the window (of the van). I remained unconscious for 45 minutes," he said.

Dalvi said he is in possession of "vital clues" into Dias' death and fears "the government will get rid of me."

Father Savio Fernandes, executive secretary of the diocesan Council for Social Justice and Action, expressed concern over the "excessive use of force." 

He urged police to respect people's rights to assemble and protest peacefully.

 

Church responds to criticism

On Nov. 21, the Archdiocese of Goa and the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament said in a joint statement that the church bodies were "closely following" the investigation to ensure that the "truth of the matter may be brought to light."

Dias left the priesthood in 2012 to contest state elections as an independent candidate, running a unique campaign on a bicycle with his "kindness" manifesto centering around protecting Goa's environment. He lost the election but his campaign continued upsetting land developers and their lobbyists in the state.

Simplicio D'Souza, a friend of Dias and a theologian, told ucanews.com that Dias "feared God and no one else, none whatsoever."

"His only possession was a profound relationship with God through the universe of created living beings. He was never selfish, always selfless, imitating Jesus who gave his life to humanity," D'Souza said.

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