Team Herald
MARGAO: Even as the recent attack on former Mandrem Sarpanch Mahesh Konadkar by masked thugs remains unsolved, Sarpanch Frank Viegas of the Chinchinim-Deussua Village Panchayat has received a death threat from an unknown individual, heightening concerns about the safety of local elected representatives.
Viegas, who is also the President of the Goan Seamen Association of India, filed a complaint with the Cuncolim Police Station on November 16 after receiving a threatening phone call. In his complaint, Viegas stated that he received a phone call from an unknown man on the number +447462333046. The call lasted for 1 minute and 17 seconds, during which the caller threatened Viegas’ life and the safety of his family members, without any apparent reason. The caller further claimed that on November 15, he had intended to kill Viegas, but the latter had narrowly escaped ‘due to luck’. Despite complaints being filed at local police stations, authorities have yet to identify the suspect after 20 days, creating growing apprehension among local politicians. Viegas, who says he has no known enemies and describes himself as a peaceful, law-abiding citizen dedicated to his community, has expressed his concern over the lack of progress in the investigation.
Viegas says the police have only assured him that the matter is under investigation. This delay in addressing serious threats against elected officials has left many questioning their safety while performing their duties.