Team Herald
QUEPEM/PANJIM: Goa’s killers continued to snuff out innocent lives as two persons were killed in separate accidents reported at Porvorim and Quepem respectively.
In the first accident reported at Porvorim, 46-year-old Vijaya Murgaonkar, a pillion rider died, while the rider Hiralal Murgaonkar sustained injuries in the accident reported near a hotel at Porvorim.
According to the Porvorim Police, at around 9 am, they received a call from PCR Panjim informing them that an accident had taken place between a scooter and a truck.
The police stated that Hiralal and Vijaya Murgaonkar, both residents of Chimbel, were proceeding on a scooter towards Panjim when they were hit by a truck. The impact was such that both the rider and pillion rider fell on the road and sustained injuries. They were shifted to Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC), Bambolim. However, Vijaya was declared dead. The post-mortem was conducted and Vijaya’s body handed over to relatives.
In the second accident reported at Padamol-Quepem, 26-year-old Abdul Kader died on the spot, while 21-year-old Sufian Shaikh sustained serious injuries.
According to Quepem Police, the accident occurred around 11 pm when the local youth were chatting as usual at Padamol junction when suddenly a speeding car after ramming into four two-wheelers, knocked them down, with the driver fleeing from the spot immediately. The impact was such that Abdul died on the spot, while Sufian sustained serious injuries.
The locals, who were present at the site, chased the vehicle but failed to lay their hands on the accused.
The accused identified as Rainbert Thomas Dias from Quepem was later arrested by the police, who also booked him under NDPS Act as drugs (ganja), were found in his car, which was cleared from the site with the help of a crane.
Tension prevailed in Padamol following the accident with the locals protesting outside the Quepem Police Station, demanding a thorough probe seeking justice for the deceased.
Local MLA Altone D’Costa said, “It was a tragic incident that an innocent youth lost his life. I was informed by locals that drugs were found in the car and under their influence, the accused drove the vehicle in a rash and negligent manner.”
D’Costa hoped that the police will conduct a fair probe and deliver justice to the deceased.
Councillor Dayesh Naik blamed the police for the increasing incidents of drug abuse in Quepem.
“I had informed the police about the drug abuse hotspots, but in vain. Incidents of drug abuse are increasing day by day which pose a threat to the youth,” Naik said.