Alfred Alfonso
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Alfred Alfonso | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 11 March 1924 Galjibaga, Canacona taluka, Portuguese Goa |
| Died | 10 September 1986 (aged 62) |
| Education | Senior Cambridge |
| Movement | Goa liberation movement |
Alfred Afonso (11 March 1924 – 10 September 1986) was an Indian independence activist and trade union leader from Goa. He is best known for leading a group of Satyagrahis to capture the Terekhol Fort during the Goa liberation movement in 1954.[1][2]
Afonso was born on 11 March 1924, at Galjibaga in the Canacona taluka of Portuguese Goa to Anthony Francisco Afonso. He completed his education up to the Senior Cambridge level.[1]
Goa liberation movement
Beginning in 1946, Afonso was active in the Bombay Goan community, where he conducted political propaganda to raise awareness about the liberation of Goa. In 1951, an arrest warrant was issued against him. In 1952, he was chosen as the president of the Bombay branch of the National Congress (Goa) (NCG) and later became a member of its Executive Committee.[1]
In 1954, Afonso resigned from the Bombay Telephones to dedicate himself fully to the independence movement.[1]
On 15 August 1954, he led a group of 14 satyagrahis from Siroda to the Terekhol Fort. The group successfully captured the fort, hoisted the Indian tricolour, and controlled the fort for one day.[3] Following this action, he and the other activists were arrested. During his transfer to police custody in Panaji, he was physically assaulted before and during his detention. He was then tried by the Portuguese Territorial Military Tribunal (TMT). On 31 March 1955, he was sentenced to eight years of rigorous imprisonment followed by three years of simple imprisonment. He was held at the Aguada Fort and was eventually released on 17 May 1959.[1]
Later career
Afonso later became a union leader. He was a key organizer of the National Trade Union Congress in Goa and served as the General Secretary of the National Mine Workers' Union. Professionally, he worked as a manager for a mining firm.[1]