3 locals assaulted; villagers retaliate Restaurant stoned, furniture set on fire
TEAM HERALD
CALANGUTE: Tension prevailed at Naikka Vaddo, Calangute, late Wednesday evening, after restaurant owners assaulted three locals, while the agitated villagers allegedly stoned the restaurant and set the furniture on fire.
According to reports, the restaurant owners mercilessly assaulted the three locals in front of their restaurant, which infuriated the locals who gathered around the restaurant and stoned the restaurant premises. The staff immediately shut down the restaurant to avoid further damage. However, the locals damaged the chairs, tables and the CCTV, which was later set on fire.
The Calangute Police team led by PI Nilesh Rane and PSI Nitin Harlankar rushed to the spot and brought
under control the situation. A fire tender from Mapusa, which was pressed into service, doused off the fire.
The villagers demanded immediate action against the restaurant owners and staff. Later, the police moved the restaurant owners and staff to a safer place.
Residents of Naikka Vaddo were furious over the absence of Panch Ana Maria D’Souza as Calangute MLA Michael Lobo is however reported to be out of station.
Calangute Police later detained four persons in connection with the incident. One of the three locals who were assaulted, sustained grievous head injuries, while other details were not available.
The Calangute Police team led by PI Nilesh Rane maintained a strict vigil at the restaurant premises.
Meanwhile, restaurants and other business establishments in the area shut down their shutters, while traffic on the roads leading to Candolim-Calangute came to a standstill.
