In a shocking incident on Thursday, Morjim panchayat secretary Sachin Dhawaskar (35) was assaulted at the Pernem Block Development Office (BDO) during a hearing related to a Right to Information (RTI) appeal.
The alleged attackers, Sanjay Relan and his son Mitesh Relan, originally from Delhi and currently residing in Siolim, are accused of assaulting Dhawaskar after a verbal altercation. The incident reportedly occurred during a hearing of an RTI query filed by Sanjay Relan.
According to police, the duo allegedly abused Dhawaskar verbally, issued death threats against him and his family, and physically attacked him. The altercation turned violent, with the accused reportedly slapping and punching the secretary, tearing his t-shirt. Mitesh Relan is alleged to have struck Dhawaskar with a steel water bottle, while Sanjay Relan allegedly bit him on the leg. Dhawaskar’s gold chain was also damaged during the assault.
Both accused were taken into custody and sent for medical examination at the District Hospital in Mapusa. PSI Prathmesh Parsekar of the Pernem police station is leading the investigation.
Reacting to the incident, Pavan Morje, Sarpanch of Morjim Panchayat, expressed concern over the safety of public officials.“There is a sense of fear as someone entered a government office and assaulted the panchayat secretary. I urge the Chief Minister, who is also the Home Minister, to take swift and strict action against the culprits,” Morje said.
“There’s a need to set an example. If such acts are allowed to go unchecked, it could become a free-for-all. This incident must be strongly condemned.”