The Goa government on Thursday ordered a magisterial inquiry into the deaths of two tribals in Balli village during an agitation demanding reservation in government jobs.
Chief Minister Digambar Kamat said the inquiry had been ordered after two charred bodies were recovered from a factory that was set on fire by a violent mob. "The magistrate will probe the incident that began on Wednesday morning after tribals blocked the national highway and train routes," Kamat said.
Two tribal leaders, Manguesh Gaonkar and Dilip Velip, were burnt alive by a frenzied mob when tribals pelted stones on vehicles and set afire a forest outpost on Wednesday, the police said.
The villagers burned down a factory owned by a tribal leader after their house and shops were pelted with stones.
The United Tribal Alliances Association, which spearheaded the protests, alleged that both deceased tribal leaders were thrown into the fire in the presence of the police. "These youngsters were running away when they were stopped by the police. The local goons then attacked them and threw them in the fire," UTAA leader Ramesh Tawadkar said.
UTAA president, Prakash Velip, has demanded that the police officers who remained "mute spectators" to the incident should be suspended.
The tribals launched the stir demanding reservation in government jobs and giving enough mandate to the scheduled tribes commission formed by the state government.
Kamat said that the government is looking into the demands of the tribals.
