VASCO: Following the communal clashes that broke out between Hindu and Muslim communities in the port town of Vasco on Sunday during Ram Navami procession (Shobayatra), the Vasco Police registered three different FIRs in the case and are confident to nab the culprits involved, using CCTV and other available video footages.
The first FIR was lodged after complainant Damodar Naik, resident of Sancoale, lodged his complaint before the police stating that he was one of the participants in the Ram Navami procession that originated from Santadurga Temple in Sancoale and at about 8.45 pm, when the procession reached near Fitness Time Gym in Islampur-Baina, some unknown person/s pelted stones from a residential area on the participants and one of the stones hit on Naik’s left hand and he sustained minor injuries.
“Later I alerted the other participants who immediately ran towards the hillock and someone informed us that after pelting stones one unknown person ran towards the Islampur Masjid. So, we rushed to the Masjid and noticed that some locals were offering prayers (Namaz). Hearing the commotion, the Muslim community members, who were offering Namaz, also came out and started arguing with us. Some of them even pushed the participants of the procession. Since the stone was deliberately pelted on us with the intention to outrage the religious feelings of the Hindu religion and since I was also hurt (bleeding injuries) in the act, I lodged a complaint before the police,” Naik mentioned in his complaint.
After receiving the complaint, the Vasco Police lodged a FIR against unknown accused person under Section 295 A and 324 of IPC.
The second complaint lodged by one Ashraf Shaikh, resident of Islampur-Baina said that at about 8.45 pm a mob of about 20 to 25 people wearing saffron clothes and chanting slogan of “Jai Shree Ram” forced their way inside the Masjid from the main entrance and again chanted “Jai Shree Ram” slogan and attempted to stop the prayer (Namaz) rituals and forced them to come out of the Masjid.
“Later our Muslim members tried to pacify the mob but they (mob) did not listen and turned violent and even assaulted me with fist blows and kicks. Even other members who had come down to offer Namaz were attacked by the mob, till the Vasco Police reached to the site and dispersed the crowd. Later, I came to know that the mob while returning back even assaulted two other persons who had come to the Masjid for prayers,” Shaikh mentioned in his complaint.
In this case, the Vasco Police have registered FIR against one Babu Yadav and 25 to 30 other unknown persons. They have been booked under Section 447, 143, 147, 295A,298, 323,352 read with Section 149 of IPC.
The third complaint was lodged by one Ramesh Bingi, resident of Sancoale stating that after conclusion of Ram Navami Procession at Baina Beach, he along with his friend Shivappa Patil was returning back home in his scooter and at about 10.45 pm when they reached near BSNL office (opposite Vasco Police Station) some people restrained them and started assaulting both of them, till police rescued them.
“I was in normal clothes but my friend was wearing saffron colour kurta and hence we were assaulted by the mob of more than 20 people,” Bingi mentioned in his complaint.
In this case, the Vasco Police lodged a FIR against 20 odd unknown persons. They have been booked under section 341,143, 147, 504, 323 read with section 149 of IPC.
In all these three cases, the Vasco Police have started investigations and are confident to arrest the culprits involved using CCTV and other available footages.
Following Sunday night violence in Baina, Vasco DySP Salim Shaikh and PI Nitin Halarnkar were transferred to Goa Reserve Police. DySP Nilesh Rane will take charge as Vasco SDPO and PI Kapil Nayak as Vasco PI with immediate effect.
