Panaji: Two Tribal Leaders Killed in Factory Fire During Agitation

Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
 
Panaji, May 26: Two bodies were recovered from a factory that was burnt down during the tribal agitation on Wednesday at Balli village, 50 km South of Panaji.
 
Police said that both were tribal leaders who had participated in the agitation demanding reservation in the government schemes and justice to the tribals in the state.

Around 10,000 tribals had blocked National Highway 17 and also train traffic on Wednesday pressing for their various demands. The agitation had turned violent when police had a mild cane charge on the crowd.
 
The crowd which went berserk stoned several police vehicles, forest department check post, smashed railway signal and damaged railway tracks.
 
In the melee, the crowd also damaged several shops in Balli village, which provoked the locals to retaliate.
 
As police remained silent, the locals bashed up tribals and even set on fire a factory owned by a tribal leader.
 
Superintendent of Police Tony Fernandes said that these two youths were hiding in the factory which was set ablaze. “Fire and Emergency services had doused the fire but they did not know about the people inside,” he said.
 
Police had launched search operation and traced two bodies late in the night which were charred beyond recognition.
 
District administration has imposed section 144 in the area. District collector G P Naik said that the situation is under control.