Panaji, Nov 11 (TOI): Family members of Bismarque Dias, an activist whose body was found in a river three days ago under mysterious circumstances, on Tuesday refused to proceed with the funeral until action was taken against the `culprits'.

"The family members have decided not to go ahead with his funeral proceedings until the government and the police act against the culprits involved in his death," Bismarque's brother Mario Dias said.

Bismarque, a non-practising Catholic priest and an activist, was found dead on November 7 in the backwaters of his village St Estevam after going missing on November 5.

His family and fellow activists suspect foul play.

In a statement, Mario requested the Goa government to expedite the process of obtaining his chemical analysis and viscera reports from CFSL Hyderabad.

His brother also said in the statement that the family members, activists, friends and the locals were "dismayed" by shoddy probe by Old Goa Police Station.

The police were yet to even record family members' statements, he said, adding that the probe should be transferred to CID.

"Bismarque had many enemies and we believe it is a murder," said Sudeep Dalvi, a fellow activist, who himself too has sought police protection.

Bismarque was involved in protest against several tourism projects requiring large-scale land acquisition. On November 5 he went for an overnight picnic with two friends and was seen last going for a swim in the river.

While the first autopsy report said he died of drowning, the second autopsy, conducted due to public pressure, said there were no external injuries but the cause of death can not be ascertained until the viscera report comes.