VASCO
According to Vasco Police, the assailants entered the temple premises at Chicalim at about 1 am and after switching off the temple lights, brutally assaulted the watchman Ankush Agapurkar of Chicalim.
“The accused assaulted Agapurkar with a stone on his forehead and later stabbed him in the neck with a sharp weapon thrice and chopped off three fingers,” informed the police.
Acting on the complaint filed by the victim's son, police rushed to the site and moved the injured watchman to Chicalim Cottage Hospital, from where he was shifted to GMC Hospital at Bambolim for further medical treatment.
The police said Ankush was out of danger, but the exact reason of the assault was not ascertained.
Police said they have registered an offence under Section 307 and PSI Shivram Gawas is investigating the case.
Speaking to The Goan, Praveen said they had got information of the assault from the temple priest. “After the brutal attack, my father in a subconscious state of mind went to the room of the temple priest, who is residing in a temple room, and informed him about the assault,” said Praveen.
The culprits stabbed the watchman three times in the neck with a sharp weapon and then chopped off two fingers from Ankush's left hand and one finger from the right hand, he said.
Asked if his father had any enemies, Umesh Naik, son-in-law of Ankush, said: “In the evenings, many young boys consume drugs in the abandoned Chicalim garden and frequently visit the temple to drink water.
“Ankush was recently threatened by a boy who consumes drugs, after Ankush had refused to provide them water. Many young boys and girls also consume drugs at Shanti Nagar near DRDO and damage parked vehicles under the influence of drugs. At times, they even stop vehicles and rob drivers of their cash,” added Naik.
“However, I cannot say with certainty that it was the work of drug addicts but these people are frequently seen in the Chicalim garden and at Shantinagar. The police should take stern action against them,” said Naik.
