3 held for attempt to murder student at Cujira complex

PANAJI
The Agassaim police arrested three persons for attempted murder following an assault on three college students with one accused even wielding a knife at Cujira complex on Wednesday morning.

The high voltage drama occurred during the mid-morning school break, when Zaqaullah Qazi, Shoaib Beig, and Xavier Joshua targeted Adeil Fernandes. Qazi, visibly armed with a knife, allegedly intended to harm Fernandes and in an attempt to save Fernandes, three other college students were injured.

SDPO Sudesh Naik, speaking to the media on the incident, stated that Fernandes and Joshua, both local footballers from St Cruz, indulged in a dispute the prior evening. The altercation spilled over into the next day, when Joshua asked Fernandes to come near the college campus.

Qazi, a 19-year-old driver, allied with the other assailants, brandished the knife which was captured on video by some passersby. The video was circulated widely on social media prompting FIR. 

The accused who absconded soon after the incident were traced in Ponda and arrested.

SDPO Naik said that regular police vigilance is often maintained at the campus. “Our patrolling units are consistently present during morning arrivals and afternoon departures of students... There’s also a nearby police outpost,” he added.

The Agassaim police have lodged FIR under Sections 307 (attempt to murder), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), and 506 (ii) (criminal intimidation) read with section 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code.