MARGAO: Two-wheeler mishaps are on the rise in Salcete as stray cattle rule the road posing threats to motorists especially two-wheeler riders. This time, another youth was killed on the spot at Amblimoll, Guirdolim, when he was attacked by a wandering stray buffalo. Besides this, three other scooterists were knocked down by stray bovines on the Assolda to Curchorem road over the last three days.
Maina Curtorim Police stated that on September 14, 21-year-old youth Daelon Fernandes was brought dead, to the Public Health Centre at Curtorim. It was later revealed that the youth was proceeding from Chandor to Curtorim on his scooter when he was knocked down by a stray buffalo which resulted in his death. The medical officer later declared him brought dead. Police visited the site, conducted investigation and registered a case of unnatural death.
Three other scooterists were injured on different occasions when they were knocked down by stray cattle on the main road between Assolda and Curchorem.
A fish vendor who was witness to the accident stated that stray cattle rule the road and it is just difficult to travel along this route as the animals just refuse to budge causing traffic jams.
Another resident from Chandor stated that the stray cattle occupy both the highways and interior roads here and pose problems to people whether it is night or day.
Recently, 26-year- old pillion rider Manoranjan Kumar Singh, 26, died on the spot while rider Kusheshwar Kumar, 22, suffered injuries and is still undergoing treatment after the motorcycle on which they were travelling dashed a cow sitting on the road.
The duo were travelling from Benaulim to Per Seraulim when they dashed against the cow and fell on the road with the pillion rider succumbing to injuries on the way to South Goa District Hospital, Margao.
“No amount of shouting and honking by the motorists work as the animals refuse to move from the road they consider as their fiefdom,” said Tulsidas Raiker, a resident of Curchorem.
About two months ago, two teenaged siblings from Balli had to be hospitalised when they were knocked off their scooter by a stray cow at night.
Cuncolim police stated the brother, sister duo were proceeding home after making purchases in the market when a herd of stray cows was squatting on the road and the siblings were attacked by a bovine. While the 13-year-old boy sustained serious head injuries and had to be hospitalised at the GMC, his 17-year-old sister was treated for injuries at the South Goa District Hospital at Margao.
Senior citizen Ulhas Kerker said that stray cattle menace is common on Salcete roads and the authorities should either impound such animals or impose stiff penalties on errant owners before more precious lives are lost on the road.
