In a major development in the brutal as sault on social activist Rama Kankonkar, the Goa Police have finally recorded his of ficial statement late Thurs day night (October 2) at Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC), Bambolim, where he is undergoing treatment. Sources confirmed that the statement was recorded only after doctors officially declared him medically fit. The statement comes nearly two weeks after the attack, which left Kankonkar with serious injuries. Police officials visiting the hospital documented Kankonkar’s account of the as sault, providing investigators crucial insight into the case. They have also recovered the objects allegedly used in the attack, a step seen as critical to connecting the dots in the ongoing probe. Eight suspects had been arrested earlier and remain in judicial custody until October 10, 2025.
A senior police officer told O Heraldo, “It will not be ap propriate to divulge details at this stage as the investiga tion is progressing.” Previously, speaking from his VIP suite at Ward 128 of GMC, Kankonkar had said, “The police keep coming every day to take my statement, but I have not agreed to give them one as I am still unable to remember exactly what transpired on that day. I get flashbacks and am still not able to recollect the incident frame by frame.” Meanwhile, social activists have raised concerns over law and order in Goa, submitting a representation to Un ion Home Minister Amit Shah, who is in the State today for a scheduled programme. Speaking at a press conference, activist Xencor Polgi said, “We have written to the Home Minister stating that the law and order in the State has col lapsed. We do not get support from the police and inves tigations are conducted arbitrarily. Rama Kankonkar has now given his statement and we will closely monitor how the investigation progresses.” Emphasising that the issue goes beyond an individual case, Polgi said, “Every citizen in the State is concerned about law and order. That’s why we’ve reached out to the Home Minister of the country.” South Goa MP Capt Viriato Fernandes also urged the Un ion Home Minister to visit Kankonkar at GMC. “Amit Shah should visit Rama Kankonkar who is in GMC. GMC is not far from the stadium,” he said. Meanwhile, Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane , after meeting hospital officials, assured the public of full gov ernment support. “Doctors have informed me that a ded icated team has been constituted to manage his treatment. The government is fully committed to ensuring that Rama Kankonkar receives the best possible medical care,” he told reporters. The recording of Kankonkar’s statement marks a key turning point in the investigation, which had been facing delays due to the delay in recording hi statement. The ex pectation is that this development will help unravel the motive behind the attack and identify any masterminds involved.
