Team Herald
CANACONA: Friends of murdered Irish national Danielle McLaughlin have arrived in Goa to take her body home.
According to Canacona police, two of her friends arrived on Friday but since the Collector’s office was closed on Saturday couldn’t get the required NOC. However, they got NOCs from the Canacona police station and the British embassy, and will probably be able to transport the body by Monday after getting the permissions from the Collector’s office.
A New Delhi based agency has been authorised to transport the body to UK for the last rites. Before taking the body it will be embalmed to preserve it from decomposition during transportation.
Meanwhile, Vikat Bhagat who has been arrested in the case will be produced before the court on Tuesday afternoon for extension of his remand. A charge sheet is being prepared and will be filed within 60 days police said.
Minister Vijai Sardesai visited Canacona and offered his condolences to the family of the McLaughlin. Meanwhile the organisers of the solidarity rally organised by the Canacona business community which was earlier planned for Sunday is being postponed to Tuesday as per a communiqué received from the organisers.
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Vijai asks DGP to attend solidarity meet
Minister Vijai Sardesai on Saturday evening visited Canacona police station to take stock of the investigation in the murder of Irish national Daniele McLaughlin.
Sardesai asked the Director General of Police to attend the solidarity meeting called by the tourism stakeholders on Tuesday and reassure them of the commitment of the new government towards security of the tourists. Speaking to Herald, Sardesai said, “I have instructed the DGP Muktesh Chander to either himself or depute a top police official to attend the meeting and reassure the people of the government commitment to the security of the tourists.” Explaining his presence in Canacona, Sardesai said, “I had gone specifically for the case and the concern expressed by the hospitality and tourism sector with regard to the impression that is being created of Goa due to this case. I had gone to find out the facts of the matter and to send a clear message to reassure the tourists, especially the foreign nationals, that we are concerned about them and believe in ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ in Goa.”
He added, “It is a stray incident and not much has to be read regarding the case. The government is newly formed and we have to be more sensitive to such issues. There are various lobbies out to malign the State and affect the tourism potential of Goa as the season has not ended.”
