Team Herald
PANJIM: Activist Ana Fernandes from Anjuna on Wednesday demanded the immediate arrest of all assailants, who assaulted Dr Inacio Fernandes and manhandled her during the gram sabha on Sunday. She said that despite medical evidence of the assault, police had so far not taken any action against the culprits.
Speaking to O Heraldo, Ana said that the Anjuna Police were dilly-dallying in initiating action against Gajanan Tilve and four others, who assaulted Dr Inacio. She said that the assailants also manhandled her when she tried to rescue Dr Inacio.
“Dr Inacio, Jeremy Ferreira and I were referred to the North District Hospital, Mapusa,” she said.
“Our medical examination reports are with the police, who are not taking action against the culprits,” she said.
According to Ana, a group of villagers and activists on Wednesday morning went to the Anjuna Police Station to inquire about the progress of the case, but the police were not ready to say anything. She said that the assault on Dr Inacio in the presence of four police constables had gone viral of social media. But the police till date have not arrested the assailants, who enjoy political patronage.
The Anjuna Police have registered cross complaints and stated that they will call both parties at the police station for inquiry. However, Ana said that she and nine other villagers had also filed a police complaint against Tilve and others for attacking them.
“When the gram sabha started and the minutes of the previous meeting were to be approved, the trouble started. First some objected Dr Inacio speaking in English and then Tilve and other trouble-makers assaulted him. When I tried to rescue Dr Inacio, they pushed me and I too was referred for medical examination,” Ana stated, demanding immediate arrest of all the culprits.