Citizens demand attempt-to-murder charge on PSI, action against other cops for assault, transfer of SP; want CCTV made public
Participants at the candle light march in support of justice for Edberg campaign held at the Navelim Church compound on Sunday. Parish Priest Fr Gabriel Coutinho addressing the participants as Edberg’s mother Viola seen holding a placard “I love my so
MARGAO
A peaceful candlelight march in support of “Justice for Edberg Pereira” demanded that the Margao police register an attempt-to-murder offence against suspended PSI Nilesh Volvoikar, and suspend all other policemen involved in the assault.
The meeting also demanded the immediate transfer of South Goa Superintendent of Police Tikam Singh Verma, accusing him of attempting to cover up the crime by claiming that Edberg sustained his injuries after falling down on losing balance. They further demanded that the government stop posting IPS officials as district Superintendents of Police, stating that Goa has capable officers who can do the job.
While demanding that the police make the CCTV footage public, the meeting has demanded that Edberg Pereira should not be discharged from the hospital till he is physically and mentally fit.
Condemning the chaining of Edberg Pereira’s feet and the alleged attempted murderous assault inside the police station — which left him with brain damage and profuse bleeding — speakers said the suo motu FIR is neither satisfactory nor complete, as police have applied only Sections 117(2) and 198. They demanded that Section 109 of the BNS (attempt to murder) be added without any excuses.
Speakers demanded that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant must immediately shunt out South Goa SP Tikam Singh Verma from Goa for making “uncalled-for, fabricated and false” statements, claiming the victim had “lost balance, fallen down and suffered brain damage”, even before a preliminary investigation was conducted, and before a formal complaint by victim Edberg Pereira or his family was registered.
They said that 90 per cent of the suspicions will be sorted out, if the police show the CCTV footage, where Edberg is seen getting disbalanced and getting hurt. If not attempted murder Section 109 of the BNS should be invoked immediately, they added.
Addressing the people, Parish Priest of Navelim Church, Fr Gabriel Coutinho said the meeting has been called to express solidarity with Edberg Pereira and to condemn the incident. He appealed to the people to pray for Edberg’s speedy recovery. “If the protectors of law turn out law breakers, there will be no rule of law. Our Navelim MLA Ulhas Tuenkar had visited the hospital to inquire about Edberg. Since he is our MLA, he should take up with the government justice for Edberg. I am confident he would do so,” Fr Gabriel said.
In her address, social activist Pratima Coutinho reiterated her demand for the registration of attempted murder section against the suspended PSI. She said the police should initiate action against the remaining policemen involved in the assault.
Social activist Shankar Polge said the time has now come for the people to sit on a dharna outside the police station for justice. “Candlelight march and processions will not spur the police to initiate action. We will have to sit at the Margao police station demanding justice,” he said.
Edberg’s mother Viola narrated the entire incident and said her son was bound in chains like a dog at the Margao police station.
