DEATHS OF 2 IN ROAD ACCIDENT AT PADDI
Members of the Scheduled Tribes community demanding justice for Dilip Velip and Sandesh Gaonkar who had died in a road accident at Paddi last week.
Photo Credits: Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
Members of the Scheduled tribes on Sunday cried for justice for the family members of the two persons, Dilip Velip and Sandesh Gaonkar, who were killed in a road accident on the NH66 at Paddi, warning they will not allow the company’s inter-state buses to operate if the owner does not cooperate in the investigations.
A large number of ST community members assembled at the Cuncolim police station on Sunday morning after they were told that the owner and manager would come for discussion. After they found the inter-state bus owner and the company manager conspicuous by their absence, the agitated people warned they will be forced to take the law and order in their hands if the police and the Home department cannot get the company owner to the police station.
The people left the police station only after Cuncolim Police station in-charge, PI Diego Gracias assured that the manager has agreed to report to the police station on Monday morning. They, however, warned that they will be forced to take the law in their hands to secure justice for the family of the two deceased persons.
Social activist Rama Kankonkar said the arrest of the bus driver and his subsequent bail has not meted out justice to the family members of the two youngsters. “Why has the police not booked the bus owner till date? Is he not liable for the actions of his employee”, Rama alleged.
Saying the arrested bus driver has been released on bail, Rama demanded to know why he was not booked for causing the murder of the deceased persons since he fled from the spot without giving them first aid. “After the accident, the driver had got down and saw the duo struggling for life, but he continued the journey only to be arrested at Yellapur-Karnataka. The driver and the owner is responsible for the death of the two youngsters as they did not shift the duo to the hospital”, he said.
Saying that injustice is being meted out to the Scheduled tribes in the state, another ST leader said the community will be forced to agitate if the authorities and the government do not mete out justice.
Giving a call to the Scheduled tribe community to brace up for an agitation to demand justice for the family of the two deceased persons, the leaders said they will not stop till justice is meted out by the government.
Brother of deceased Dilip Velip, Soiru told the media that when the family members had refused to take the mortal remains till justice was meted out to families, PI Gracias had assured the family that he would get the bus owner for discussions. He lamented that neither the owner nor the manager has come to the police station till date.
