MARGAO: Cuncolim police Wednesday arrested three persons in connection with an attempt to commit murders of Velim sarpanch Savio Fernandes and another person Derrick Fernandes.
While an injured Derrick has been admitted to the Goa Medical College and hospital (GMC) at Bambolim, the Velim sarpanch, who was admitted to a private hospital at Chinchinim has been discharged after treatment.
Police said that the motive behind the assault is not known yet and the alleged accused are being interrogated. The assault was not due to any previous enmity, said a police officer, who is guiding investigation into the case. The knife used in the assault is yet to be recovered by the police.
Police said that based on a complaint lodged by one Mauvin Fernandes, an offence under Sections 325, 323 and 307 of the Indian Penal Code has been registered against three persons, identified by the police as Shane Fernandes, Randol Fernandes and Alrid Fernandes from Velim. Police have recorded their statements and lodged them in police custody.
According to the police, on Tuesday evening as Carnival parade at Velim was in progress and attended by a large number of locals, one Budo Kerker, a resident of Bapsora-Betul, was taking his mother to a local doctor in his car. As there was a huge crowd on the road, he requested the people to make way for his car to proceed. Shane, who was present at the site, threw a plastic pipe at the car. This act of his was condemned by the locals, who started arguing after which Kerker’s car was allowed to move.
Police said that thereafter the sarpanch of Velim Savio Fernandes and others made an appeal to the people present to maintain peace during the parade and sought their cooperation. Police said that soon there were arguments among the public and in the process Shane stabbed Derrick and the sarpanch with both sustaining knife injuries on their chest. Randol Fernandes and Alrid Fernandes were also involved in the assault, police said.
Based on the complaint, an offence has been registered and further investigation into the case is in progress.