When an unsuccessful love story turns into hatred and ends with murder, the result is indescribable grief, unbearable pain and a big void in the victim’s family. Three gruesome murders in Marcaim have left the locals shocked. The recent murder of a young wife on July 3, the shooting of a young college girl last September and the first one in July 2002, have brought pain, grief not only to the families but also insecurity among the Marcaim villagers.
Twenty-one-year old Tanuja was murdered by her husband Atish at Gaunem on July 3 after an altercation. On September 15, 2016, Sujata Naik, a college student who was barely 19 years, was shot dead by Lotlim Nikhilkumar from Jharkhand in her own house. The murders started 15 years ago when Tanuja Naik was found in a pool of blood shot by an unknown person whilst returning from the Marcaim Industrial Estate where she worked.
Strained relations between Tanuja and Atish two weeks before the murder, were reported to be the reason for Tanuja’s murder. Both were married barely two years ago. Atish was ever suspicious and couldn’t handle his wife (who was a student in the prestigious Chowgule college in Margao) having conversations with other male friends.
Atish escaped to Karnataka after killing Tanuja by smothering her with a pillow. He was then advised by a family member to return and surrender and apprehended by the police at the KTC bus stand, Ponda and was remanded to police custody by the Ponda JMFC.
It is learnt that Tanuja, who had completed Std XII, had got admission in the Chowgule College but Atish reportedly did not even complete SSC.
With frequent fights taking place among them, Tanuja decided to return to her mother’s house. Atish pleaded with her to return.
When she returned home on July 3, heated arguments were heard by their neighbours and Atish’s aunt who resides in another portion of the house. When Tanuja did not respond to her calls for a long time, the aunt informed the police who broke open the door and found Tanuja’s body.
“Two murders in Marcaim and one in Gaunem, made us feel very sad,” said a Marcaim senior local. “The murder created panic in the village as office goers learnt of it when they returned home from work. All murders have taken place when darkness falls, which is very sad”, he added.
Marcaim is otherwise a peaceful village, but with the growth of industries, crimes have also increased, said sources. The three gruesome murders of young girls and a young wife have brought suspicion and doubt in the minds of the villagers.
Ponda taluka has three industrial estates at Kundaim, Marcaim and Bethora besides those in Khandepar and Usgao. These industries have lured many migrants and villagers say that incidents of chain snatching, eve teasing and enemity between work colleagues have given rise to all these nasty things.
Sources say that the influx of labourers is not being verified neither by the panchayats nor the police.
According to Namdev Naik such incidents can be avoided if the parents keep in touch with their children. “The murder at Gaunem has brought this to the fore,” Naik explained.
“Because there is no fear of the law or police such incidents are taking place. A number of people are residing close to the industrial estates. Locals, especially girls, should avoid friendships with unknown people. A proof of identity should be a must when keeping tenants,” said Umesh Naik, another villager.
The teenager, Tanuja Naik’s, murder mystery in 2002, is still unsolved. Two migrant labourers were arrested and were charge-sheeted but the court later acquitted them.
Sources who were following the case, say that she was murdered by some local who went scot free because of his political connections.
