Irate crowd thrashes migrant before police arrive on scene
TEAM HERALD
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
MARGAO: Tension gripped Betalbatim once again on Tuesday noon after an assailant attacked a local woman with a bottle while she was heading to the sunset beach.
The woman was immediately rushed to Hospicio with bleeding head injuries, besides injures on her legs, while agitated locals thrashed a migrant before the Colva police could reach the scene and take him into custody.
The incident occurred at around 3 pm when Piedade Fernandes was heading to Betalbatim beach to inquire about the “rampon” when she was attacked on the head from behind with a bottle. The accused also kicked the woman on her legs as she raised an alarm, which attracted the attention of the nearby people.
Residents of the area launched a manhunt to nab the culprit and conducted a search of the beach and bushes. They later laid their hand on a migrant, after they verified from a shack that he had bought a beer bottle.
The irate crowd gave the migrant a sound thrashing before Colva police rushed to the spot and took him in their custody. Police later took him to the hospital with a swollen face.
Colva police has registered a case of assault based on a complaint from the 42-year old victim. Even as the Colva police has begun investigations into the incident, the victim Piedade Fernandes is under observation at the Hospicio hospital.
This the second time in less than a month that local villagers have come under attack. Last time round, a SSC girl student was attacked by a migrant construction labourer before the villagers retaliated and gave the accused a sound thrashing.
A week ago, Betalbatim villagers along with the Church organizations had held a public meeting, wherein they had expressed their concern over the influx of migrants in the village and their criminal activities.
