PERNEM
Tension flared up in Mandrem yet again when outraged locals gathered at the Mandrem police station late Monday evening and blocked a private vehicle carrying the Delhi youth arrested on charges of murder.
Deepan Batra (23), a native of Paschim Vihar, Delhi but residing at a guest house in Sawantwada-Mandrem, has been arrested on charges of the murder of Maria Joao Fernandes (65), after he allegedly drove his car deliberately and fatally knocked her down at Junaswada-Mandrem on February 21.
As soon as locals became aware that Batra, who is accused of the murder, was being moved elsewhere by a Mandrem police team in a private vehicle, a large crowd rushed to the police station and surrounded the vehicle.
They stopped the vehicle at the gate of the police station and forced it to move back into the police station. Angry locals then confronted the police and accused them of giving VIP treatment to the accused by transporting him in a private vehicle. The locals warned that they would not remain silent until they got justice in the matter.
Mandrem Police Inspector Sharif Jacques assured the angry locals that the police have been investigating the matter from all angles and said witnesses are required in the case. He appealed to people to come forward in the matter.
The accused was produced before a court and has been remanded in police custody for four days.
