Tribal group tells police to act after Padi bus crash kills 2

Margao: Members of the tribal community staged a protest outside the Cuncolim police station on Sunday, demanding justice for two youths who lost their lives in a road accident at Padi, Quepem. The victims, Dilip Velip and Sandesh Gaonkar, both residents of Padi, were killed when their scooter collided with a bus on Wednesday night.
The accident occurred around 8.30pm when the bus, travelling from Balli towards Barcem, struck the oncoming scooter at a turn at Padi. According to police reports, the bus driver, Rajesh Shivoli (also known as Shivally), a resident of Sirvoi, Quepem, fled the scene without providing assistance to the victims or reporting the accident.
Velip was pronounced dead upon arrival at the primary health centre at Balli, while Gaonkar, who was rushed to South Goa District Hospital in Margao, succumbed to his injuries during treatment. Postmortem reports showed that Velip died from “damage to the head and chest consequent to blunt force impact”.
Gaonkar’s death was attributed to “damage to the chest consequent to blunt force impact”.
Led by social activist Rama Kankonkar and Velip’s brother Soiru, protesters gathered at the police station, demanding that the bus owner be immediately summoned. Police said he is currently in Mumbai.
The demonstrators submitted a memorandum to Cuncolim PI Diago Gracias and warned of potential consequences if there were delays in action.
Police have already recorded statements from the travel agency manager and asked for documentation, including the driver’s appointment letter and details about the passengers. The driver, who initially fled to Yellapur, Karnataka, with the bus was later apprehended, and the vehicle was seized. He was subsequently released on bail.
PI Gracias assured the protesters that the bus owner would appear before police on Monday for questioning. Police registered a case against the driver for rash and negligent driving, fleeing the accident scene, and failing to provide assistance to the injured victims.