Eight days after the murderous assault on Edberg Pereira of Navelim by a police officer, the victim lies motion less in the Intensive Care Unit of the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC), Bambolim. Only son to his parents, Rocky and Viola, Edberg’s relatives wait outside, with prayers on their lips. “All we want is for him to recover,” said Edberg’s aunt, Lucia Fernandes, her eyes welling up with tears.
In the week since he was attacked and later taken to the South Goa District Hospital, Margao, and subsequently to GMC, bits and pieces of information have been coming out amid what appears to be an attempt by the police brass to cover up the shameful incident. O Heraldo caught up with Lucia, one of the eyewitnesses, who though still shaken, has recovered enough courage to tell the story of how it all happened. “He (Edberg) was supposed to rejoin the ship in November this year. But now he is unable to go. Since he was unemployed after returning from the ship, I requested him to run our stall located at Navelim. The trouble started on the afternoon of October 22 when Edberg went out of his shop and knocked a car that was parked in front. There was no dent or damage to the car, but the owner informed the police that someone was under the influence of alcohol and creating a nuisance in the locality. After a few minutes, two policemen, including head constable Minguel Vaz, came to the spot and asked whether he was creating a nuisance in the area,” she said. “It was head constable Minguel Vaz who instigated and provoked Edberg. Minguel called him out and slapped him. Edberg tried to retaliate but could not, as he was losing balance since he was in an inebriated state. The two cops assaulted him with slaps and kicks, and when Edberg again tried to save himself, he fell on Minguel and in the process pulled his whistle cord,” she said. “We wanted to settle the matter amicably. But Minguel called the police station and asked for a police vehicle and additional policemen. We agreed to pay for the expenses if the private vehicle was damaged. But Minguel was not in the mood to listen and told me that Edberg had assaulted him. They then took him to the Margao Police Station,” Lucia said. Lucia added that they rushed to the police station where they saw Edberg’s legs chained near the lock-up. “Edberg started verbally abusing the police for assaulting and chaining him. Soon the private vehicle owner came to the police station and started complaining that his vehicle had been damaged by Edberg. We again requested them to set tle the matter. But Minguel also started complaining that Edberg had broken his whistle cord, even though it was accidentally pulled by Edberg while he was attempting to defend himself,” she said. “As we were discussing, I suddenly heard a sound and Ed berg’s shouting stopped. I immediately rushed in and found Edberg unconscious and motionless, lying on the ground and bleeding, with PSI Nilesh Shirvoikar raising his hand. I took photographs with my mobile phone and PSI Shirvoikar came to me and demanded that I give him my phone to delete the photographs. I mustered courage and warned him not to touch me or take my phone. PSI then beat a hasty retreat,” said Lucia, a retired primary school teacher. “Soon a constable came running and removed the chain. Two constables then lifted Edberg, one holding his hands and the other his legs, and put him in the police car and took him to the South Goa District Hospital, Margao. He was treated inhumanely. They did not even call for an am bulance,” Lucia said, her voice choked with emotion. After a CT scan, the doctors found that Edberg had suffered a severe head injury. As there was no neurosurgeon at the South Goa District Hospital, the doctors referred him to GMC. “Margao PI Suraj Samant told me that PSI Shirvoikar has been suspended after they saw the CCTV footage. They found the PSI guilty and so they suspended him,” Lucia said, adding that doctors at GMC had asked her twice what object could have caused the severe injury on Edberg’s head. “But I was unable to tell even though it happened in front of our eyes.” Meanwhile, PSI Nilesh Shirvoikar has already been placed under suspension. On Thursday three other police men including Head Constable Minguel Vaz and two con stable Ajay Zangli and Danish Kakodkar were sent to the reserve line. Navelim MLA Ulhas Tuenkar on Thursday visited GMC and met Edberg’s relatives. He has demanded immediate action against all other policemen involved in chaining and brutally assaulting Edberg at the Margao Police Station. Edberg remains on a ventilator in the ICU, and doctors are unable to assure the family of his recovery. “Today (Thursday) morning, a doctor called me and told me that he is unable to say anything about Edberg’s health. He said Edberg is responding well and would be shifted to the gen eral ward, but he cannot say anything at this stage as there are many complications. When I asked what these compli cations were, he told me they would observe him and let us know. He is still battling for life,” said Lucia. According to Lucia, Edberg underwent a three-and-a half-hour surgery on October 28. As part of the operation, doctors removed a part of his skull bone and placed it un der the skin of his abdomen. After about three months, once Edberg is stable, the bone will be removed from his abdomen and placed back in his skull. GMC Head of Department of Neurosurgery, Dr Ponraj Sundaram, said the medical status of the patient will be shared only with the family. “I will discuss it only with the relatives. The Medical Superintendent is authorised to speak,” he said. As Edberg continues to fight for his life, his family clings to hope — for his recovery, and for justice.
