Panaji, Dec 22 (IANS) Sanatan Sanstha, a Hindu rightwing group whose members have been linked to the Diwali eve blast in Goa, Tuesday alleged harassment of its women members by people residing near its premises.
Virendra Marathe, administrator of the group’s ashram at Ramnathi, 25 km from here, said at a press conference here that “anti-social elements” were repeatedly targeting its women’s quarters with stones and rubble.

“We have registered nearly six complaints with the police over the last one month, but no action has been taken,” Marathe said.

“Our women ’sadhaks’ (members) have been repeatedly attacked with soda bottles, stones pelted at them and several have been injured in the last one month,” Marathe said, adding they had already submitted video evidence of such violence to the police but there had been no action.

While the group has in the past has accused Home Minister Ravi Naik - elected from the Ponda legislative constituency, which adjoins the ashram - of targeting the Sanstha, Marathe refused to drag him into the controversy this time.

“We do not know who is targeting us. We have done our job by filing a police complaint and naming the accused. It is up to police to act,” Marathe said.

Four of the group members from Goa and Maharashtra have been arrested in connection with the Oct 16 blast in which two of its members were killed in an explosion while ferrying gelatine sticks, allegedly meant to be detonated at a gathering in Margao, a major town in south Goa 35 km from here.

The investigations into the blast were initially carried out by a Goa Police special investigation team, but will now be handed over to National Investigation Agency (NIA).