MARGAO
When supporters of Deputy Chief Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar and Opposition Leader Digambar Kamat came face to face Superintendent of Police Shobit Saxena with DySP Harish Madkaikar stepped in and averted a law and order situation outside the Fatima Convent polling station on Friday morning.
For close to an hour the field police were unable to keep rival supporters at bay for reasons unknown as the two groups assembled outside the polling station.
In fact, Deputy CM’s brother Rajendra, whose daughter Dr Ronita is locked in a straight fight with Digambar’s nominee Sulaksha Jamuni in the battle for the SC reserved seat, had a face-off with the Opposition leader’s close aide Teo Bonamis outside the polling centre.
Since then, the rival groups had gathered in strength on the road, setting the stage for a clash between the supporters. The field police were found wanting in dispersing the two groups.
A police jeep that came on the scene could not bring the situation under control, facing flak from the rival group, which questioned the men in khaki whether they were afraid of initiating action because of Ajgaonkar’s connections.
Leader of Opposition, Digambar Kamat, made his presence felt outside the centre to sound a warning to the field staff to act impartially, cautioning them he would complain to the SP, South, to take action.
As the face-off continued for some time, acting South Goa SP Shobit Saxena along with DySP Harish Madkaikar and other police officials descended on the spot to control the situation.
After pulling up the executive magistrate and the fields staff, SP Saxena got the personnel to barricade the entire place, keeping the supporters outside the 100-meter area. Rajendra was told by the SP to move out since he cannot hang around the place if he has cast his vote.
With the police enforcing discipline, the Deputy CM made his presence felt near the telephone office, but left the spot after Margao Police station in-charge, PI Sachin Narvekar, spoke to him.
A person, who was detained by the police, was later released.
