PANAJI
After nearly two weeks of silence, social activist Rama Kankonkar broke his refusal and finally gave a statement to the police in connection with the brutal assault on him on September 18. In his testimony recorded late Thursday night, Kankonkar identified history-sheeter Minguel Araujo among those who allegedly attacked him.
The police spent close to three hours recording his statement in the presence of his wife, Rati, after obtaining a fitness confirmation from the doctors at Goa Medical College. “We will verify claims before proceeding further with the probe based on his statement. Technical analysis is also underway,” a police source said.
Kankonkar alleged that Araujo had been stalking him for the past several days. About eight months ago, in March, a quarrel broke out in Agassaim following a road accident, prompting a police complaint. The feud escalated on social media with Kankonkar allegedly uploading photographs and targeting Araujo online.
Meanwhile, in his account of the assault, Kankonkar allegedly mentioned to the police that the attackers not only physically brutalised him but also humiliated him by calling him a “Gauda.” He further stated that the attackers taunted him over his activism, asking whether he was “Goa’s next Rakhandar” while citing issues he has been highlighting on social media platforms.
It is, however, unclear whether Kankonkar named others apart from Araujo in his statement. A total of eight accused including Zenito Cardozo and Araujo are in judicial custody.
