Ponda PSI killed in filmy-style chase
TEAM HERALD
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BORIM: A young police sub-inspector’s determination to perform to the best of his ability took a tragic turn on Saturday morning, when he was fatally knocked down while trying to stop a speeding truck at Bethora-Ponda, after the driver refused to stop the truck for a routine check-up.
The driver from Punjab, who fled from the site after the mishap, was arrested later in the evening and has been booked for murder.
According to Ponda police, the incident occurred at around 7.30 am when PSI Abhishek Gomes (27) and Police Constable Maruti Dhupwadkar, both attached to the Ponda traffic cell, were reportedly proceeding on the Bethora bypass on a police motorcycle.
PSI Gomes noticed a truck (PB-13-Q-6115) proceeding on the road and directed the driver to stop the vehicle for a routine check.
The truck driver, however, did not stop and sped away towards Borim, nearly knocking down PSI Gomes and PC Dhupwadkar in the process.
Noticing the truck driver fleeing from the site, PSI Gomes lost no time and quickly jumped on the motorcycle to intercept the truck, leaving PC Dhupwadkar at the site.
After a hot chase, PSI Gomes managed to overtake the truck and ordered the driver to stop for the second time. Instead of halting, the driver knocked down the motorcycle from the rear and dragged the two-wheeler to a distance of nearly 20 metres. The driver then abandoned the truck and fled from the site.
In the meanwhile, PC Dhupwadkar managed to get hold of a motorcycle pilot and proceeded in the direction of the truck. He then spotted the abandoned truck and was shocked to find a grievously injured PSI Gomes at the site.
PSI Gomes was rushed to the Sub-District hospital at Ponda for treatment and was being shifted to the Goa Medical College hospital at Bambolim, when he breathed his last along the way.
A native of Panzorconi-Cuncolim, PSI Gomes was residing at Margao and is survived by his mother, two sisters and a brother.
The tragic death of PSI Gomes has stunned the Ponda police and the Ponda traffic cell, as the police officers grieved over the loss of their young comrade.
A cadet of the 2006 batch, PSI Gomes had worked at the Verna police station and also at the Konkan Railway police station. He had joined Ponda traffic cell on November 26, 2012.
Incidentally, PSI Gomes had played a vital role in the nabbing of accused Seby Ferrao, who had escaped from jail in September 2012, at the Konkan railway station in Margao.
“We have lost a dedicated and hardworking police officer. He used to get along well with everyone and was really good at work,” remarked Ponda traffic cell Police Inspector Prabodh Shirvoikar.
When contacted, Ponda PI C L Patil informed that the accused, Amarjeet Singh, has been arrested on charges of murder (Section 302 IPC) and will be produced for remand. Ponda police is investigating the case.
The tragic death of a young police officer has highlighted the growing instances of rash driving by drivers of heavy vehicles and the utter contempt for the law enforcement agencies patrolling the roads in the State.
Meanwhile, district police chief Shekhar Prabhudesai, police officers and the men-in-uniform visited the house of the deceased in Margao on Saturday evening and offered his condolences.
The police also put up a small banner at the entrance to the building, saluting the brave police officer. Family sources said the funeral cortege will leave his residence at 2.45 pm on March 17, to Grace Church for Eucharistic celebration.
It’s murder: Parrikar
MARGAO: Suspecting foul play behind the killing of PSI Abhishek Gomes at Ponda, Chief Minister Manohar Parikar has termed the death of the Police Sub-Inspector as murder.
Parrikar said the PSI was discharging his duties when he was fatally knocked down by the truck. “The case has been registered as murder,” he said.
The Chief Minister replied in the positive when asked whether he suspects foul play in the death of the PSI.
He later visited the residence of the deceased PSI at Margao and extended condolences to the bereaved family.
