ANC cop thrashed at Calangute shack
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
CALANGUTE, MAY 25
A police constable attached to the Anti Narcotic Cell (ANC) was severely assaulted at Umtta-Vaddo, Calangute, when he along with an informer reportedly went to a shack to verify details about drug peddling activities at the beach.
The informer was also assaulted by the group and when the police constable Mahabaleshwar Eknath Sawant (31) intervened and identified himself as a policeman, one of the accused allegedly hit Sawant on the head.
Sawant suffered head injuries and was rushed to a private hospital, where he is recovering, Calangute police told Herald.
Sources said that ANC sub-inspector Sunil Guldar allegedly assaulted some persons at the shack.
Calangute Police has registered a complaint by Sawant against the group present in the shack under Sections 341, 353 read with 34 IPC, as well as a counter complaint against Guldar on charges of assaulting some persons.
PSI Sheriff Jacques is investigating the case, while Superintendent of Police (North) Arvind Gawas has initiated an inquiry into the entire episode.
Speaking to Herald, Calangute MLA Agnelo Fernandes said he wanted to highlight the issue as a gross negligence on part of Calangute police.
“I have been trying to point out such illegal activities in the coastal belt and have time and again brought it to the notice of Calangute police, who have been reluctant to act. However, this incident of Sawant attached to Anti-Narcotic Cell, Panjim, should be an eye opener for the home minister,” stated MLA Fernandes.
When contacted, PI Raposo denied the allegations and said the action by Calangute police in terms of raids against drug peddlers and their arrests speaks volumes of the sincere efforts by the Calangute police.
“Some establishments have the permission to run till early hours, which also comes in the way of police action,” PI Raposo pointed out.
