PANJIM: In a span of six months, the densely populated coastal stretch of Bardez witnessed another brutal clash, this time involving two groups of young boys running their trade on Baga beach.
A 19-year-old who underwent treatment for serious head injuries at Goa Medical College, was discharged on Sunday, while two of three assailants Ashish Palekar and Shitiz Kerkar are in police custody. The third accused identified as Saish Palekar, who happens to be the elder brother of Ashish, is on the run.
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The clash brought back memories of the attack on Souza Lobo Restaurant at Calangute in the fag-end of December 2021. The shocking violent attack amid public presence led to several injuries, loss to the property and moreover setback to Goa’s struggling attempt to maintain its image as a hospitable and a safe tourist destination.
Herald spoke to Calangute Police Inspector Laxi Amonkar seeking to know the cause of the lawlessness. In the latest incident, the PI said an ugly argument between the victim – a tourist facilitator – and his tourist customers reached the kiosk owned by the accused brothers. It was here that the accused asked the victim to deal with his customers elsewhere, prompting another attack.
“The two groups indulged in the fight and the victim’s mother arrived with two bouncers. One of the accused Ashish called his brother, Saish who hit the 19-year-old Abdul Saudagar ( tourist facilitator) on his head with a hockey stick. They all disbursed from the scene after the victim collapsed on the ground with his head bleeding,” he said.
