Case against Goa Cong workers after activist suffers burns

Police today booked 28 Youth Congress workers here after one of them suffered burns during a protest against Goa Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar over his remark on a rape incident.
Youth Congress activist Varad Mardolkar was injured when an effigy of Parulekar was burnt by the party members here last evening. Mardolkar is currently being treated at state-run Goa Medical College and Hospital.
Police said they have filed a case against Mardolkar and 27 others. The activists were booked under IPC Sections related to endangering human life, unlawful assembly and burning the effigy by blocking a public road and negligently using petroleum product.

They were also charged with causing damage to public property, police said.
Goa Congress spokesman Sunil Kawathankar condemned the police action, which he said, indicated the "undemocratic mindset" of the BJP-led state government.
"They believe in curbing the freedom of speech by using force. But Congress workers have decided to expose the government," he said.
Parulekar had described the gang-rape of two Delhi-based women near here early this week as a "stray incident" and termed the accused men as "nadan" (naive).
His statement evoked strong reaction from several quarters, prompting him to later withdraw the remark and tender an apology.