Attack linked to victim’s association with Calangute MLA; Leaders, locals demand arrest of accused within 24 hours; PI transferred
Former Mandrem sarpanch Mahesh Konadkar, who was attacked on Wednesday, receives treatment in hospital.
PERNEM
In what is believed to have been a politically motivated attack, former Mandrem sarpanch Mahesh Konadkar, who has been linked to Calangute MLA Michael Lobo, was assaulted by five unidentified persons at Askawada-Mandrem on Wednesday.
This incident sparked off widespread anger in Pernem taluka, as leaders and residents condemned the assault and demanded the immediate arrest of those involved in the assault on the former sarpanch within 24 hours, failing which there would be a law and order problem.
Mandrem police later registered a case in connection with the attack on former sarpanch Mahesh Konadkar and in a related development, the police inspector was also transferred out of the police station.
THE INCIDENT
According to sources, five persons wearing masks confronted Konadkar and assaulted him with an iron rod, after accusing Konadkar of aligning with Calangute MLA Michael Lobo.
Lobo had been recently asked if he would be interested in contesting assembly elections from Mandrem constituency and since then, there had been speculations in this direction.
Konadkar was later shifted to the Tuem hospital and
then referred to the Mapusa District Hospital for further treatment.
On receiving news of the attack, Calangute MLA Michael Lobo, former Mandrem MLA Dayanand Sopte, Mandrem Sarpanch Miguel Fernandes, former sarpanchas Advocate Amit Sawant, Prashant alias Bala Naik, Pradeep Hadfadkar, Bhushan alias Pradeep Naik and others rushed to the hospital to enquire about his condition.
THE REACTION
The assault on the former sarpanch sparked off anger among leaders and residents alike.
Calangute MLA Michael Lobo warned that if the accused involved in the assault were not arrested within 24 hours, he would go to the chief minister’s residence at Altinho-Panaji along with residents of Mandrem and sit there to demand justice.
He also demanded that the case be handed over to the Crime Branch.
Former Mandrem MLA Dayanand Sopte condemned the assault as a cowardly act and said this indicates that the law and order situation in Mandrem is not good.
“Police should act swiftly and book the accused involved in this assault,” said Sopte.
The Mandrem Panchayat also stated that it would not remain silent if the assailants were not arrested within 24 hours.
Sarpanch Miguel Fernandes said the entire panchayat will stand with Konadkar and ensure that he gets justice.
“If politics is to be done through such an incident, we will not tolerate it. We strongly condemn this incident,” said Fernandes.
THE TENSION
A number of residents marched to Mandrem police station demanding the arrest of the five accused within 24 hours, failing which there would be a law and order problem in the area and the government would be held responsible for any untoward incident.
The residents also submitted a memorandum to the police inspector.
Speaking to reporters, former sarpanch Amit Sawant said Calangute MLA Michael Lobo and former MLA Dayanand Sopte had interacted with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant in this matter.
THE TRANSFER
Mandrem Police Inspector Sherif Jaques was transferred following the attack on former Sarpanch Mahesh Konadkar.
An order from the office of Superintendent of Police (North) stated that PI Jaques had been transferred to the North District Reserve Line Force (NDRLF), Porvorim with immediate effect, till further orders.
Police Inspector Narayan Chimulkar of Mopa Airport Police Station has been directed to look after the work of Mandrem Police Station, in addition to his own duties.
