NT NETWORK
Margao
Director General of Police Mukesh Kumar Meena on Thursday maintained that “armed robbery” has been established as the sole motive behind the daylight murder of Margao jeweller Swapnil Walke.
Speaking to media persons in the South Goa district police headquarters, Meena said the three accused had surveyed other jewellery shops in Margao as well.
“The motive is very clear. Armed robbery is the main motive of the accused. They had surveyed many other jewellery shops in Margao, but ultimately chose this particular one because the shop is located a little away from the main road. They wanted to burgle the shop but were unsuccessful in the robbery; there was a scuffle between the accused Mustafa Shaikh and the jeweller Walke that led to the murder,” Meena explained.
Several other theories and angles are also being investigated. One of these angles is the focus on the accused Evender Rodrigues, who had reportedly stolen gold of one of his relatives from Anjuna. A case regarding this incident has been filed at the Anjuna police station, the top-most police official said.
“We have received some information as to where this stolen gold could be… We are investigating into it. But as per our investigation, the gold was not disposed of or kept in the Walke’s shop,” the DGP maintained, adding that there was no link between Walke and the accused at the time of the incident.
He visited the site of the murder, which took place last Wednesday. Meena met officials and representatives of the Margao municipal council, goldsmiths association and the market association.
The DGP said that steps have been initiated to install CCTV cameras as well as to beef up security and police patrolling in the city.
The South Goa district collector, representatives of the Goa Gold Dealers Association and the market association, and MMC councillors met the DGP over safety and security in the city.
Gold dealers association president Pramit Raikar said the DGP told them that many jewellery shops had been on the target of the accused but Walke’s shop was zeroed in on because the establishment is located a little away from the main road. Hence jewellers are vulnerable to burglaries.
“We impressed upon the DGP on this aspect. He has assured us that foolproof security will be provided to jewellers. We will donate two booths to the police.”
When asked about the meeting, Meena said that additional safety measures will be taken by the police and the MMC.
“There is fear psychosis in Margao, and people are afraid… We have discussed steps to be taken with the district collector, the municipality (representatives), goldsmiths and traders from the market association. The municipality has agreed to provide CCTV cameras,” he said.
A study will be done on locations where the CCTV cameras can be installed. Booths with police personnel will be set up, the DGP said, adding that police patrolling patterns were also discussed.
“We will intensify police patrolling, and more personnel will be deployed in Margao,” he said.
Last week Walke was shot and stabbed to death in Margao in broad daylight.
The accused Omkar Patil, Mustafa Shaikh and Evender Rodrigues were arrested in the murder case. They are in the custody of the crime branch, which is investigating the case.
