PANJIM: Members of a newly formed group – Forum for Goans of Non-Goan Origin – has lodged a complaint with Ponda police seeking action against the Shiroda locals involved in manhandling and threatening a shopkeeper and his family.
The move comes four days after a group gheraoed shopkeeper Ramanuj Gupta suspecting that he has been reporting traffic violations to Goa Police under the Traffic Sentinel Scheme. Accusing him of providing Goa Police with CCTV images of traffic rule violators, the angry mob had forced him to shut down his business and vacate the rented premises. The forum, seeking justice for the family, alleged that Gupta’s wife and sister were molested and abused by the locals.
“The shopkeeper was born and brought up in Goa. His father is living and employed in Goa for the last 35 years. They were punched and beaten up by the local group on Saturday and Sunday. We want that the police immediately register First Information Report against whoever is involved in the attack, arrest them and ensure that Gupta’s shop is restored by the landlord,” said a member of the forum alleging that the family has also been a victim of ‘racial slur’ by some Shiroda locals.
The group alleged that the mob was instigated by some local politicians to garner public support for a false cause. The victim has denied sharing any images of traffic violations to the police.
In view of this incident and with many traffic sentinels contemplating dropping out of the scheme fearing an identity leak, the Police Department has urged people to cooperate with the initiative that aims at reducing road accidents and bringing traffic discipline across the State.
