04 Dec 2020  |   05:35am IST

Now, another group of Honda locals wants PI reinstated

Seeks action against former sarpanch for his alleged involvement in several assault incidents

Team Herald 

VALPOI: In an unexpected development, another group of locals gathered outside the Honda Police Outpost on Thursday demanding that PI Sagar Ekoskar be reinstated and sought action against former sarpanch Suresh Madkar for his alleged involvement in several assault incidents. 

Demanding that the investigation into the matter be taken over by PI Ekoskar, the group alleged that Madkar and his family were involved in several assaults including one on a boy from Soliem.

Meanwhile, DySP Gurudas Gawade informed the villagers that police will patrol areas where ore laden trucks ply to ensure that norms are not violated.

It may be recalled that a group of Honda locals on Wednesday refused to accept an apology from PI Ekoskar for allegedly assaulting and abusing a former sarpanch with filthy language and demanded that the police official be suspended immediately. 

The locals had agitated against the iron ore transportation issue at Solye, on Wednesday morning. Later, the issue was sorted out by the locals with the help of Valpoi Police.

After sorting the issue, PI Ekoskar had called a few locals at Honda Police Outpost who were agitating and had allegedly slapped and abused Suresh Madkar, former sarpanch of Honda with filthy language and later arrested him.

The irate locals later gathered outside the Honda Police Outpost to protest the alleged assault on former sarpanch by PI Ekoskar. They claimed that PI Ekoskar assaulted and arrested Madkar without any reason.

The villagers blocked the Valpoi-Panjim route for almost three hours which resulted in a massive traffic blockade. 

They demanded that the PI Ekoskar be suspended immediately.

DySP Gurudas Gawade assured the locals that PI Ekoskar would be suspended if found guilty.

Later, PI Ekoskar apologised to the Honda locals and admitted to have assaulted Madkar.

DGP Mukesh Kumar Meena on Wednesday ordered a disciplinary enquiry against Ekoskar, hours after the latter’s apology to Valpoi locals. 

The PI was also sent on eight days leave with immediate effect. Sources informed Herald that the department will appoint an officer to conduct the DE against the officer.