Team Herald
MARGAO: Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Pundalik Gaonkar and police constable driver Rohan Narvekar of Quepem police station were allegedly abused and assaulted by a group of youths while on duty at Shivnagar, Xeldem, in the early hours of Wednesday.
Based on the ASI’s complaint, Quepem police have registered an offence under Sections 221, 352, 132, and 121(1) read with Section 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Three persons have been detained, and sent for medical examination.
According to police, the incident occurred around 3.10 am when ASI Gaonkar and constable Narvekar responded to a report of a fight at Shivnagar. Upon reaching the spot, they were allegedly obstructed from discharging their lawful duty by a group of six to seven individuals. One of the accused, identified as Joyson Fernandes of Cacora, Curchorem, reportedly used abusive language and slapped constable Narvekar, causing a minor injury, before fleeing in a car. Two others fled on a scooter.
Police sources said that the accused persons had allegedly been drinking at a party that night. They later gathered near the Shivnagar Tank, and were blocking the road. Two passersby requested them to move out of the way, so they could pass —but the group allegedly refused and a fight ensued. The police control room (PCR) received a call at around 2 am reporting the brawl. When the police team arrived, they found that two civilians, Brian Costa and Felix Fernandes, were being thrashed.
When police attempted to intervene, the situation escalated, resulting in the assault on the police personnel.
Police have since registered two separate cases—one related to the attack on police and another based on the complaint lodged by Brian Costa.
Costa, a resident of Xeldem, Quepem, alleged that Joyson Fernandes and five to six others formed an unlawful assembly and assaulted him and his friend Felix Fernandes without any provocation, causing them minor injuries.
The three detained were identified as Bhaudip Prabhudesai, 23, Sameer Mankavi, 22, and Sadashiv Patil , 20, all residents of Cacora.
Quepem PI Arjun Sangodkar and LPSI Joycee Carvalho are investigating the matter.
A search operation is currently underway to trace and apprehend all the accused,
police said.