What began as a routine demand for parking fees in the busy Mapusa market on Wednesday turned into a scene of chaos and bloodshed, leaving two parking attendants brutally assaulted and one battling for his life.
Sources revealed that teenagers Roop Sai and Aniket from Sangolda had come to shop for the Ganesh festivities and parked their vehicle at Morod. When parking attendants Prakash Talwar and Sandeep Kumar approached them for fees, the duo allegedly claimed they would settle the amount later as they did not have change. One attendant, refusing to accept their explanation, called his colleague for support — and that decision lit the fuse.
What followed was a heated altercation in which Roop and Aniket were allegedly assaulted, forcing them to flee. Aniket ran towards the Bodgeshwar temple area, seeking shelter at a residence, from where he telephoned friends in Calangute and narrated the incident.
Within moments, reinforcements arrived. A group of youths from Calangute stormed the site, and violent clashes erupted between the two groups. In the melee, Talwar and Kumar were stabbed — one with a key, the other with a knife.
Talwar sustained grievous injuries and is reported to be in a critical condition.
The attackers fled the scene, leaving behind panic and confusion.
The Mapusa Police immediately launched a manhunt. As the accused could not be traced, it is learnt that their fathers were detained at the police station at the time of going to press. Further investigations are underway.
Meanwhile, outrage has spilled over online. Netizens demanded that the police thoroughly scrutinise CCTV footage before booking the accused. They further insisted that the case be brought to its logical conclusion after verifying the facts. The accused Roop Sai, Aniketh, Saish, Bhawan and one unknown person have been booked under sec 352, 109, 351 (3) read with 3(5) of BNS