Assault on Soiru Komarpant Photo journalist of Gomantak daily of Goa

"In Goa, indeed there are cases that concern us. Soiru Komarpant, a photojournalist working with Gomantak newspaper was assaulted a year back. The inquiry is conducted but report is not open," Kamat remembered talking about hazards faced by media in Goa.

"We want the report to come out which will also expect to suggest certain guidelines for the photojournalists when they are on duty," the GUJ said.

Komarpant was brutally assaulted by police in Margao city last year when he was covering a flash communal violence that erupted in this commercial town. Chief minister Digamber kamat had constituted inquiry by senior bureaucrat Swapnil Naik to investigate into the assault. "The report is placed before chief minister's office months back but still its not revealed despite our several representation to chief minister," Kamat said. 

Subsequently, Goa had witnessed two more assaults including vernacular journalists in south Goa. "In one of the case, a minister had threatened a journalist butnothing has happened to get him justice," Kamat said. "These are stray incidents which threatens freedom of press in Goa," GUJ president said. Goa Union of Journalist president Prakash Kamat, during the function, urged state acting chief secretary Narendra Kumar to commit on making this inquiry report public on international press freedom day.

Sources - http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_goa-govt-refuses-to-make-journalist-assault-report-public_1378406

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_public-pressure-may-force-curbs-on-paid-news-trend_1378416

Press photographer injured in lathi-charge - HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, JUNE 27, 2008 – A press photographer employed with Marathi daily Gomantak Soiru Komarpant was badly beaten up by the police during the lathi charge on 

Bajrang Dal activists. He was later admitted in Hospicio hospital with low pressure andpain in the back.
Komarpant informed that the policemen beat him up mercilessly even after introducing himself as a press photographer.
The incident was brought to the notice of the district Collector, G P Naik and Superintendent of police, Shekar Prabhudesai at the press briefing called on the district Collectorate.

Source - http://www.mail-archive.com/goanet-news@lists.goanet.org/msg00878.html

Some Komarpants still live in mud houses - Navhind Times

Members of this community who had been neglected for many years since Liberation finally hope for upliftment of their community. These people have been living in mud houses with thatched roofs and occupationally involve themselves in cultivating tenanted fields and fishing.

By JOAO SOUSA M | NT NeTWORK

MARGAO: After being ignored for decades in post-Liberation Goa, the Komarpant community has finally seen light with the government deciding to include the community into the OBC category. The inclusion has given a glimmer of  hope to the community as it will go a long way in upliftment of the community, which has been neglected for years after Goa’s liberation.

As a member of the community, Ms Parbhawati Komarpant said, “At least we will get some benefits from the government before we get old.” A visit to the areas inhabited by this community has a story to tell as the people still continue to live in mud houses with thatched roofs. While some work in fields, others cultivate tenanted fields and still others are involved in fishing and toddy tapping. Even though education has reached the Komarpants’ the youth are not highly qualified and have been finding it difficult to get jobs under the general category. However, the community has a few honours as hard work has seen the community produce a doctor a couple of advocates and a few have gone on to become engineers and agriculturists however their number is limited

Ms Parvathi Komarpant, who lost her husband some 7 years back, is battling hard to make both ends meet as she has seven children but no bread earner as her son is unable to gain employment. She also informed that she has not been receiving any aid from the government. She said that she has been working in fields of the landlords to earn livelihood. When informed that the community has now been added to the OBC category, she expressed hope that now at least her son, Mr Girish Komarpant would get some government job.

However, some members of the community have raised concerns that people from Karnataka whom they say are already getting benefits from the government of Karnataka and are settled in Goa, are trying to derive benefits of OBC category, which they feel is unjust to them.

Source - Navhind Times

Omkar Komarpant of Cancona wins tabla contest

CANACONA :  Omkar Narayan Komarpant, a student of standard IX of Shri Mallikarjun V High School, Canacona, won the first place at the taluka and state level tabla competition, organised by the Directorate of Art and Culture at the Braganza Hall, Panaji.

 He was trained by music teacher, Mr Umanath Pagi and Mr Vithoba Velip and Mr Amit Bhosale from the Kala Academy. Mr Komarpant started his tabla education at the age of 5 years. For the first five years, he trained at Bal Bhavan at Char Rasta in Canacona under the tutelage of Mr Sutar Guruji and later under Mr Umanath Pagi. 
Mr Komarpant has received many prizes at the school and taluka level both in solo as well as group competitions.

Source - http://www.navhindtimes.in/buzz/9039-omkar-wins-tabla-contest