Herald: Do you think Arpora-Nagoa Panch Cleofas Fernandes had planned the attack on you? What prompted him to assault you in public?
Lobo: He is a panch member of the village panchayat, where a lot of tourist activities take place. In fact it is a hot beach belt with Saturday night market, open beach parties and several starred hotels hosting events. I was told that he (Fernandes) threatens its organizers and the owners of police action if they fail to pay him ‘haftas.’ He has also boasted of ‘political contacts’ to extort money. Now I don’t know who that political contact is… Recently, a group of people approached me complaining that Fernandes has demanded Rs one lakh from Saturday night market. He had influenced the panchayat secretary not to issue them license if the amount is not paid to him. When I realized this, I instructed the secretary to immediately issue the license as per the prescribed rules and regulations. The attack on me was out of frustration.
Herald: What exactly happened on the day of the attack?
Lobo: I was returning from Shiroda in Maharashtra after attending a feast. When I waited to oversee the road works at Arpora market, Fernandes bumped into me and began hurling abuses. He then threatened and soon removed a stick to attack me. I put my hand forward, else the attack weapon would have severely injured my head.
I am told by the police that he has 27 criminal charges against him and externment proceedings are on against him at the North Goa Collector.
Herald:Will you seek for police protection since Fernandes is at large after the attack?
Lobo: No. I already have a police security officer. On the day of the incident, I had parked my car a distance away from the road construction. I had forgotten my notebook and pen in the car at the time when I was overseeing the hot mixing work.
I told my PSO to get these from my car, which is when Fernandes assaulted me.
Herald: There are allegations that a BJP minister is Fernandes’ support pillar. Do you agree with this?
Lobo:I don’t want to comment. (Herald has learnt that the minister, hailing from another coastal village has often come to Fernandes’ rescue in the past. A couple of years ago, he had sent his official vehicle to the Calangute police station to put pressure on the police to release him in a case. The same was repeated at Anjuna then).
Herald: What is your take on the two electronic dance music festivals – Supersonic and Sunburn – fast approaching?
Lobo: My opinion is that any one of the two EDMs should be held considering that the police force has been dealing with multiple security arrangements. Besides, there is extortion during EDM festivals. We don’t know how good security arrangements will be made…and also a series of robberies taking place… the same party crowd attend the festivals.
