PANAJI
The Old Goa police have registered a non-cognizable offense against a tourist couple for manhandling security personnel at the gate of the Church of Basilica of Bom Jesus, and launched a search for them.
In a video that went viral on Saturday, a couple was seen abusing and manhandling the security men on being denied entry to the Church after the official timing. The woman also slapped the guards with her sandal.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday said that Old Goa police have begun a search for the accused couple to face action under the non-cognizable offense.
He further warned that nuisances of tourists will not be tolerated. “Tourists should not take the law into their own hands. Follow the law of the land while you are holidaying here,” he said.
The high-voltage drama was captured by other visitors and passers-by and went viral on various social media platforms sparking anger among locals who demanded strict action against erring tourists.
“This is unacceptable,” said one of them with another Twitter user demanding to lodge an FIR against them.
“She should be arrested and sent to jail for assault,” Harish Nayak tweeted. Another micro blogging user Ratan Sharda termed the tourist couple’s behaviour as “Shameless aggressive behaviour.”
The social media users also hailed the guards who stood their ground and didn’t allow the visitors to the Church beyond the visiting hours.
Police sources said they are examining the viral video and CCTV footage to ascertain the identity of the accused tourists. “We are tracking from where they arrived. Once their identity is confirmed, they will be called to the police station to face action,” an officer said while also revealing that being a non-cognisable offense, the accused persons won’t face any arrest but warned to not repeat the act and apologise for their behaviour to the security guards.
