Futile bid by police to intercept Benaulim villagers

NT NETWORK
MARGAO-
Benaulim remained tense late on Tuesday evening following an attempt by the Colva police to arrest Benaulim villagers by intercepting them near Zuari bridge as they were returning from the protest meeting to condemn the violence against Christians in various parts of the country, following complaints from the sarpanch, Ms Carmelin Fernandes and a panch member, Mr Xavier Pereira on Monday.
The situation was also tense at Cortalim as the Colva police led by PI Mr Edwin Colaco tried to arrest the people by intercepting the buses as they were returning back from Panaji. The tense situation led the police to call for re-enforcements from Margao and Vasco police stations.
The police were on the look out for 33 people in connection with the case. The SDPO, Margao, Mr Umesh Gaonkar confirmed that no arrests were made, however one person, Diago D?Silva was arrested in connection of a rioting earlier on Tuesday and was later released.
Later, the focus turned toward the Colva police as hundreds of angry villagers including women and children assembled outside the police station and demanded that the charges be dropped against whom the case has been registered. The SDPO Margao also rushed to the Colva police station in order to handle the situation as there was commotion and tension, even as rumours made rounds that 35 people were arrested. The people were also shouting anti-police slogans outside the police station.
According to the sources in police, five buses from Benaulim had gone to Panaji for the public meeting when the Colva police stopped the buses at Cortalim junction and made an attempt to locate some of the accused wanted for forming unlawful assembly, rioting at Benaulim on Monday at the panchayat office.
Earlier, two sub-divisional police officers from Vasco and Margao and other staff was pressed into service to control the agitated crowd which demanded inquiry into the incident. At the time of going to press, the situation in Benaulim was under control.
Vasco bureau adds: Vehicular traffic leading to Vasco and Margao from Panaji was blocked for nearly two and half hours at the Zuari bridge at Cortalim during late evening on Tuesday by the supporters who participated in the protest meet held at Panaji condemning the violence in Orissa.
According to the information, the Colva PI, Mr Edwin Colaco had a list of the 33 people involved in the unlawful assembly, rioting and assault case which was registered in the Colva police jurisdiction. Suspecting that the accused were travelling in the bus after attending the protest meet at Panaji on Tuesday evening, the Colva police stopped the buses at the Zuari bridge at around 7.30 p.m. for check-up. This lead to commotion and the villagers from Benaulim got annoyed. The vehicular traffic on this stretch was totally disrupted for about two and half hours.
When contacted the deputy superintendent of police, Vasco, Mr Deu Benaulikar informed that he reached the site at Cortalim along with Verna PI, Mr Nalasco Raposo and deputy superintendent of police, Margao, Mr Umesh Gaonkar and brought the situation under control.
When questioned whether the Colva PI, Mr Colaco acted as per the rules in the jurisdiction of the Verna police station, Mr Benaulikar said that it was wrong on the part of Colva PI, Mr Colaco interfering in some other police jurisdiction and that he should have first informed the Verna PI, Mr Nalasco Raposo before initiating any crucial step. Mr Benaulikar assured the agitators to resolve the issue and thereafter the villagers dispersed from the blocked road at around 9.45 p.m.