PANJIM: Old Goa police have sought CCTV footage from the restaurant where the trouble began before a group of tourists from Vasai-Mumbai were assaulted by Lawrence Dias, Suraj Shetye, Vishal Golatkar and Sai Kundaikar.
“We have asked the restaurant owner to submit the recording of the CCTV footage of the incident day, for examination,” Deputy Superintendent of Police Nelson Albuquerque told Herald. According to staff present at the restaurant, an altercation began when the arm of one of the tourists brushed against Dias who was sipping tea, near the entrance. There allegedly was an altercation between them which was resolved but Dias, allegedly threatened of bad consequence and thereafter called his associates. However, the officer denied there was an altercation between the tourists and Dias. “We will ascertain the facts through the CCTV footage,” he added.
The tourists, who left in the Maharashtra-registration tourist bus for Mumbai were stopped on the Merces-Panjim road and attacked with sword, wooden stick and knife and koita. Eleven tourists were hurt and treated at Goa Medical College. The three accused were also injured and were taken to GMC before being produced before the court.
Booked for attempt to murder and other serious offenses, they are currently undergoing custodial interrogation.
