PANJIM/VALPOI: Two parish priests of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman expired on Sunday. While one died in a hit and run accident, the second was reportedly due to an illness.
The parish priest of Valpoi, Fr Daniel Afonso died in a hit-and-run accident, while Fr Arun D’Souza, who was taking care of Camorlim (north) parish breathed his last due to a prolonged illness.
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Both were religious priests. Fr Daniel was of the Missionaries of St Francis of Sales (Fransalians) and Fr Arun belonged to the Society of Monfort Fathers.
According to Valpoi parishioners, Fr Daniel was found on an abandoned road at Kumbharkhan Advai, Birondem (see pic). When the parishioners took him to GMC, he declared brought dead.
One of the parishioners said that had he been discovered earlier, he would have survived.
Fr Daniel was a joyous priest and had taken part in the Walking Pilgrimage (Bhavartachi Yatra) to Sancoale on March 10, the first Sunday of Lent, where the Catholic community across Goa participated.
Meanwhile, Valpoi Police have arrested a person in connection with the hit and run case; however, locals claim that the arrested person has nothing to do with the accident at all.
Angry that an “innocent” person has been arrested in the case, around 300 locals had gathered at Valpoi Police Station late night on Sunday, demanding his release.
The locals demanded that the “innocent” person be release, and the real culprit be arrested.
Valpoi Police Inspector Shivram Vaigankar tried to convince the people to disburse, but they did listen to him; they stayed put, till the time of going to the press, at the police station demanding that the “innocent” person be release, and the real culprit arrested.
