Team Herald
PONDA: On International Women’s Day, residents of Usgao, mostly women, gathered in shock and anger to protest at Ponda Police Station following the gruesome murder of a five-year-old child on March 6.
The crime, allegedly committed by a couple from Kasayale, Usgao, has left the community devastated.
The protestors met Ponda PI Vijayanath Kavlekar, demanding a thorough and fair investigation. Local panch member Manisha Usgaonkar urged authorities to probe the case from all angles. She called for the strictest possible punishment for the accused, stating, “The culprits should receive the maximum punishment so that no one dares to commit such a crime in the future. The innocent child, who had not even seen life or played any role in the quarrel, was lured with chocolate and cruelly murdered.”
The protest was sparked by media reports suggesting that the police had ruled out black magic as a motive, with no evidence of ritualistic practices found at the crime scene.
Locals had initially suspected that the murder was linked to black magic, believing it to be a ritual for conceiving a child. Seeking further clarification, the child’s mother, relatives, and other residents gathered at the police station.
Officials have maintained that the murder resulted from a heated argument between two families.
Social worker Tara Kerkar strongly condemned the incident, stating that law and order had collapsed and there was a need to instil fear of the law.
The gruesome murder of this child is a stain on humanity. The police should complete their investigation swiftly, as most of the evidence has already been gathered. The accused should not just receive a life sentence but should be hanged for this cruel actTara Kerkar - Social Worker
Kerkar recalled a similar sense of horror felt in Goa during the crimes of serial killer Mahanand Naik, saying this murder had once again shocked the state. She also urged residents to install CCTV cameras for security, noting that footage from local cameras in Usgao had assisted the police in detecting the crime.
Meanwhile, Usgao residents expressed disbelief that the accused couple, who were known for their kindness towards animals, could have committed such a brutal act.
“They used to feed several dogs with chicken and mutton, showering them with love. It is difficult to believe that the same couple could have killed a little girl in such a cruel way,” one local said.
Among the two accused, locals placed the primary blame on Pooja Alat, stating that as a woman, she played a significant role in the heinous crime.