SANGUEM, AUG 8
Since the arrest of the fugitive Abhijit Patil from his hideout at an abandoned house in the heart of Kalay village, an altogether different picture is drawn in the village.
The situation is made all the grim with the escape of second fugitive Seby Ferrao from the clutches of the police from the same hideout and is further worsened, given the fact that third fugitive Hitler Fernandes hails from the village itself.
Since being given a slip by Seby Ferrao and considering the fact that Hitler Fernandes is a native of Kalay, the men in uniform are working overtime to get any clues pertaining to the two fugitives, who are still at large.
According to sources, police are thoroughly checking each and every train, both passengers and goods, leaving the Kalay railway station as there are doubts of Seby Ferrao still hiding in the village.
Sources further informed that checks are also conducted in the nearby jungle areas to trace Ferrao, but no positive result is come forth as yet.
The police are also yet to get any clues of the whereabouts of Ferrao or as to whether Hitler Fernandes has visited the village since his escape from Sada jail.
The life in the otherwise cool Kalay village is also disturbed to a great extent over the past couple of days. Though the villagers used to frequent the market areas or venture out in late evening hours, things have changed drastically.
The life in the village comes to a standstill soon after the arrival of the local Vasco–Collem train, which reaches Kalay Railway station shortly after seven.
Shops in the village, which otherwise used to remain open till 10 pm, are now closed by 8 pm. The taverns operating in the village are also closed early on account of safety reasons by the general public.
Policemen are noticed in large numbers in the village inquiring with the locals for any clues pertaining to the two fugitives.
It will however take sometime for the village to regain normalcy as the fear in the minds of the locals over the two escaped fugitives hiding in the village will remain till the time the duo are arrested and put behind bars.
