One arrested, 70 booked for attack on Wagh
TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: In a breakthrough into the assault on St Andre MLA Vishnu Wagh, Mapusa Police late Friday night arrested Avdhut alias Kamu Halarnkar (53) from Colvale. Simultaneously over 100 supporters of Tivim MLA Kiran Kandolkar had gathered outside the Mapusa police station.
The police have also registered a complaint against 60-70 persons including two panchayat members on Friday, in the sensational attack on St Andre MLA Vishnu Wagh, for carrying deadly weapons, abusing the BJP MLA with filthy words, attempt to murder, assault on his driver and attack and damage caused to his vehicle.
Speaking to Herald, PI Tushar Vernekar stated that the accused Avdhut has been sent for medical examination to the District Hospital at Mapusa and after which he would be sent to the Anjuna police lock up.
Wagh, who was admitted to the Goa Medical College and Hospital Friday and is under observation had alleged that the people involved in the attack were involved with fellow BJP MLA Kiran Kandolkar.
The incident happened Thursday night when Wagh was returning after attending a Kirtan Mahotsav which was organised by state Nationalist Congress Party President Nilkant Halarnkar.
The MLA has lodged a formal complaint with Mapusa police station Thursday night and stated that 60-70 persons including panchayat members Ladu Kubal and Chari formed an unlawful assembly at Revora church carrying deadly weapons, and attempted to murder him, assaulted his driver and attacked and damaged his vehicle thereby causing damage to Government property. The two panchayat members and others including Yeshwant Chodankar, Prasad Sinari, Kamu Avadoot Halarnkar, Ritesh Warkhankar, Anand Volvoikar, Anand Temkar, Suraj Kambli abused him with filthy words, wrongfully restrained him and his driver Sunil Vaikant Naik while they were travelling in their Innova Car.
The police have registered a case under sections 143, 147, 148, 341, 504, 506, 323, 307 r/w 149 IPC & Section 3 of PDPP Act is registered. PSI S Hunassikutti is the inquiry officer.
Wagh, who is kept under observation at the GMC after he complained of uneasiness, alleged that the attack was over the issue of attending Kirtan Mohastav organised by ex-MLA Nilkant Halarnkar. According to hospital sources, Wagh was suffering from blood pressure problem, but his condition was stable as of Friday.
Wagh has alleged that the people involved in the attack were involved with fellow BJP MLA Kiran Kandolkar.
Meanwhile, AICC secretary Dr Chella Kumar visited Wagh Friday. Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and the state BJP President Vinay Tendulkar also visited Wagh at GMC hospital Friday. Thereafter Tendulkar told the media that the BJP condemned the attack and he on behalf of the party had asked the chief minister to inquire into the incident and find out and act against the culprits.
