Constable attacked by cops! Family wants CM to launch probe

Team Herald

PONDA: The family of police constable Sagar Naik, who on Tuesday, was brutally assaulted by a PSI and six cops with lathis and fist blows, on Wednesday demanded that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant launch a probe into the incident immediately.

However, Ponda Police claimed that the constable was not wearing a mask and obstructed the police from discharging duties which led to the scuffle.

Addressing media persons, Shraddha Naik, the wife of the constable Sagar Naik and his mother said that they were shocked over the brutal attack and demanded that the Chief Minister order an investigation into the incident immediately. 

Shraddha said, “If her husband, a constable, who has been police service for long time, is treated in this manner then these policemen will surely kill the common man and demanded the CM deliver justice to her husband. 

The family members said, “This is total abuse of power and the Ponda policemen brutally assaulting her husband in full public view which created terror among the locals. If a policeman gets such treatment then what will be the situation of the common man? There are seven witnesses to the incident. The complaint copies have been sent to Chief Minister and South Goa SP.”

The constable’s wife and his mother said, “PSI Narayan Pinge attached to Ponda Police Station along with six other policemen assaulted Sagar attached to Colva police station on Tuesday at around 6.30 pm at Haveli-Curti. 

PSI and six other policemen, who were on COVID-19 enforcement duty, stopped their van at Nagzar, Curti where Sagar Naik was along roadside, in front of his house, talking on his mobile with his colleague that he is feeling unwell and will join duty late.  Sagar had pulled the mask down, the PSI Pinge and the other cops stopped and told Sagar to wear the face mask and go home.” 

Shraddha said, “My husband told the PSI  that he will do the same and go home.  However, the PSI went ahead  and later watching Sagar at same place, returned and in  a fit of rage, assaulted him (Sagar) with lathis, kicks and fist blows. Even after revealing his identity they continued assaulting him.” 

The family members alleged that on hearing the noise, the locals rushed, but nobody helped Sagar as they feared that the policemen might attack them as well. On hearing Sagar’s cries for help, his wife and mother pleaded with the PSI and cops to stop beating him stating that he too is a policeman and asked them why they were beating him. The PSI pushed both the women and even a 10-year-old child. 

Sagar’s wife said, “The Police created hungama as if her husband was a criminal and a terrorist. The PSI was drunk but the police did not conduct his medical test despite complaints.” 

Shraddha said she had recorded the assault incident, but PSI Pinge forcefully snatched her phone by twisting her hand and deleted the recording and complained to Ponda PI. Finally, after learning that Sagar is also policeman, the cops left the spot. The family later admitted Sagar to Sub District Hospital for treatment. 

The Sagar filed complaint of assault against PSI Pinge and his wife too filed complaint against the PSI of outraging her modesty and that of her mother-in-law . 

When the family said despite wearing mask, the PSI and cops attacked Sagar, the Ponda Police claimed that the constable was not wearing a mask and obstructed the police from discharging duties.

Ponda PI Mohan Gaude said, “PSI Pinge and other policemen were on COVID-19 enforcement duty and found Sagar Naik at Haveli-Curti without a mask . As PSI Narayan Pinge and other policemen asked him to pay fine for not wearing a mask, he refused to do and obstructed police from performing their duties, which led to scuffle. Police were trying to catch him but he disappeared.  An offence has been filed against Sagar at Ponda Police Station for preventing police performing their lawful duties under various section of IPC.