Two groups clash leaves one seriously injured at Panchawadi

MARCEL, JULY 14
Tension gripped residents of Panchawadi, after two groups clashed, leaving one person seriously injured, while two others escaped with minor injuries on Wednesday morning.
Ponda Police have arrested three persons in this connection.
According to reports, the incident occurred at about 8.30 am when a group of locals from Panchawadi were engaged in cutting mangroves at Musher-Panchawadi.
Irked with the activity, locals from Musher immediately contacted Ponda forest officials, who ordered the activity to be stopped. The group members attacked the locals, who had informed the forest officials.
One Derrick D’Costa was seriously injured, while Constancio Costa and Clify D’Souza escaped with minor injuries.
Condemning the attack, villagers under the banner ‘Panchawadi Bachao Samiti’ later blocked the road demanding immediate arrest of the accused. However, the road was cleared only after Ponda Police PI C L Patil assured to arrest the accused.
Police arrested Mario Augostinho Costa, Simao D’Costa and Rosy Costa. Police informed that more persons are likely to be arrested.
A team of forest officials, Deputy Conservator of Forest Subhash Henriques and Round Forest Officer Santosh Fadte, after reaching the site, ordered to stop the activity.
It may be recalled there is difference of opinion of Panchawadi villagers over a mining-related project with some villagers against it, while others supported. Villagers have also formed ‘Panchawadi Bachao Samitti’ to oppose the project. The clash is believed to be between these two groups.