Navelim youth undergoes major brain surgery at GMC; family, activist call for CCTV footage and accountability
Victim Edberg Pereira, who has sustained serious bleeding injuries on the head, has undergone a surgery at the GMC.
MARGAO
The mother of Edberg Pereira, the victim in the Margao police custody assault case, said that her son was struck with a weapon by a police officer at the Margao police station after being bound in chains when he was brought to the police station on October 22 afternoon.
Edberg, who is undergoing treatment for bleeding injuries at the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC), Bambolim, underwent major brain surgery late on Tuesday evening. His aunt told the media, in the presence of his mother and social activist Pratima Coutinho, that doctors at GMC had informed them that Edberg suffered a serious injury to the left side of his brain, resulting in the bleeding.
Edberg’s mother Viola said the police officer assaulted his son with a weapon, triggering a loud sound which silenced everyone at the police station. “For a moment, there was silence when we heard a loud sound. The police officer pushed me and my sister when we tried to inquire. We then saw my son lying in a pool of blood,” the mother said.
Social activist Pratima Coutinho slammed the police for assaulting Edberg on his head resulting in damage to the brain. “Even assuming Edberg was under the influence of alcohol. Even granting that he was abusive, but have the police any right to take the law in their own hands,” Pratima demanded to know.
She added: “The victim is the only son of his parents. He was supposed to get married to his fiancé. This is not the way the police are supposed to handle such cases. The police should take action as per the law in force since the assault incident has taken place in the Margao police custody.”
The serious injury suffered by the victim and the manner in which he was assaulted at the Margao police station has thrown up questions on the theory floated by police officers that the victim’s head might have hit a hard surface when the police used force to control the victim.
In this context, Pratima has demanded that the police immediately attach the CCTV footage at the Margao police station to unravel the mystery behind the assault and the weapon used in the assault.
PSI suspended; questions raised over FIR and nature of charges
MARGAO: The Goa Police have come under scrutiny following the assault on Navelim youth Edberg Pereira. While the Police Sub-Inspector has been suspended, questions remain over whether an FIR has been registered and under what offences.
While the Goa police have placed the Police Sub-Inspector under suspension on Monday, questions are raised whether the police have registered any FIR against the erring police officer in connection with the assault incident and, if yes, the offences registered against the officer.
When this question was posed to the South Goa district police chief, SP Tikam Singh, IPS, he said that the police have registered a case for causing hurt to the victim.
But, when pointed out that the victim has suffered serious head injuries, necessitating a surgery, SP Tikam Singh said that action as per the law will be initiated against the PSI based on the medical report. “The police have placed the PSI under suspension. A case for causing hurt has been registered. Based on the medical report, the police will take further action,” he assured.
Legal circles pointed out that suspension of the erring PSI is part of a departmental inquiry, adding that the Goa police should lay bare whether any criminal action has been initiated against the victim till date.
Doctors warn of possible paralysis on left side of body
MARGAO: Family members of Edberg Pereira are fervently praying to the Almighty for the success of the surgery performed on him at GMC, Bambolim.
For, doctors have reportedly informed them that the injuries he sustained are so severe that they could result in paralysis on the left side of his body.
Edberg’s aunt Lucia said that the doctors at GMC confirmed he has suffered bleeding injuries on the left side of his brain. “The doctors have asked us to pray to the Almighty, as there is a possibility of paralysis on the left side of his body due to the injuries to the left side of the brain,” she said.
