Team Herald
PERNEM: Followed by Sunday’s tragic accident on Chopdem-Siolim bridge, 10 Indian tourists were severely injured after locals of Pernem beat them up for rash and negligent driving and allegedly carrying alcohol near Chopdem fish market.
According to police, the incident took place on Monday afternoon. A girl was proceeding towards Morjim on her scooter when a Telengana registered Toyota Innova passed very close to her scooter in a rash and negligent manner. The girl lost her balance and fell down suffering minor injuries.
However, when the girl fell down with her scooter, locals from surrounding area gathered and stopped the Innova and further questioned the driver for rash driving. A crowd meanwhile gathered on the spot and thrashed the driver and 4 occupants of the Innova.
Meanwhile a Maharashtra registered Scorpio car which was also moving towards Morjim direction was stopped and occupants of the Scorpio were also beaten up. Subsequently both the vehicles were carrying alcohol and were driving in a negligent manner.
People also damaged the two vehicles and reportedly broke the windshields. Pernem police, however, reached the spot and rescued the 10 tourists from the angry crowd.
Pernem police have filled a case against unknown persons for forming unlawful assembly, causing hurt with dangerous weapons, under Sections 143, 147, 148, 341, 323, 324, 506(ii), 427 read with 149 of Indian Penal Code.
The injured tourists names were provided as Raju Kura (21), Sandip Reddy, Suresh Hambit (32), Balakrishna Kolaru (25), Pravin Maamila (25), Krishna Hambit (30) all residents of Hyderabad Telegana. Salim Sheikh (33), Khalid Sheikh (30), Sachin Sodmini (32), Sandip Reddy (28), Ajay Shinde (32), Ranga Swami Sandippan (33) all residents of Pune.
The other tourists who were rescued included Nitesh Patil, Manoj Keni, Sushant Patil, Paresh Patil and Ketan Mali all residents of Thane.
Tukaram Dabolkar and Sulen Bhaidkar are in police custody. Pernem Police are further investigating into the case.
