TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2024
Team Herald
ANACONA: The death of Wilson Fernandes due to gunshot wounds in the early hours of Sunday has sparked concern among Canacona residents, especially given that it marks the second such incident within a month, that too with the election code of conduct in force.
Although Wilson's death is presently recorded as an unnatural death, the police are conducting a thorough investigation into all aspects surrounding the incident involving this resident of Ponsulem.
"We have registered the case as an unnatural death as our initial assessment indicates it was due to a self-inflicted accident,” stated Tikam Singh Verma (IPS), SDPO Canacona.
Verma added that site examination, CCTV footage of the bar where the incident occurred, and forensic scrutiny suggest that it was an accident.
However, locals are questioning the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies in curbing illegal arms possession, especially when all firearms are supposed to be surrendered to the authorities due to the election.
Upon receiving information about the incident around 2 am, the police dispatched a team to Sakhrewhal, just a kilometre away from the Canacona Police Station.
Police have recovered the firearm reportedly involved in the accident.
Senior police officials, including the Inspector General of Police and Superintendent of Police, rushed to Canacona, even as it was revealed that the deceased was scheduled to go hunting in the early hours of Sunday.
Meanwhile, authorities at the Collectorate revealed that the Election Commission has not issued clear directions to surrender licenced firearms, as was customary in the past.
Following a High Court order, a committee has been constituted to determine which firearms should be surrendered, taking into account various factors such as criminal background and potential threat posed by those firearms.
"A set of criteria outlined in the High Court's order must be adhered to by the screening committee of the district for the surrender of firearms," disclosed a source at the Collectorate.
In the past, all firearms were deposited during the code of conduct, and those in possession of firearms were required to obtain permission to retain them.
It's worth noting that on April 10, a resident of Khola died due to accidental gunshot wounds sustained during a hunting expedition, resulting in Shabu Velip being booked for culpable homicide.
