VASCO
In an incident which shocked the port town, a 33-year-old man was murdered by a gang in broad daylight at Baina on Monday afternoon.
Two of the accused were later nabbed by Ponda police following a chase from Banastari to Old Goa.
According to sources, the deceased Umesh Harijan was murdered by a group of 4 persons using sharp weapons like a chopper, sword and knife, as he came out of a temple in Baina.
Speaking to reporters, Mormugao DySP Rajesh Kumar said the murder took place at about 3.30 pm, as the deceased had come out after having lunch in a temple.
“A group of four persons blocked him and took him aside and one person stabbed him with a sharp weapon like a knife on his back and he suffered injuries,” said DySP Kumar.
Sources said some of Harijan’s friends rushed to the site, but the accused had fled from the scene. Harijan was shifted to the Chicalim hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.
"The deceased was earlier working at the airport and was also running a bar in Baina. He had been married for around 6 years and his wife is pregnant. “He was seen dancing for the Sarvajanik Ganesh festival on Sunday night,” said a source.
Mormugao police rushed to the site and carried out primary investigation with a forensic team also visiting the site. Police stations from across the Taluka are believed to have sent different teams to crack the case. Mormugao PI Raghoba Kamat and his police team were later joined by Vasco PI Kapil Nayak and Verna PI Diago Gracias and their respective teams.
Ponda Police then nabbed two accused persons who were allegedly fleeing from the murder site at Vasco. Both the accused was caught by a police after a chase from Banastarim to Old Goa and were handed over to Vasco Police.
"It is believed the deceased was involved in a fight with the brother of one of the accused around 2-3 years ago and though the matter seems to have been compromised, there was regular friction between the two groups, with both groups registering minor complains against each other,” said a source.
“The latest friction and an argument is believed to have taken place on Sunday, when a friend of an alleged accused had reportedly threatened to teach Harijan a lesson on Monday. While there had been minor arguments and friction, no one thought that it could lead to a murder,” the source added.
DySP Kumar told reporters that police inspected the site and found two weapons.
“At the moment, it appears to be a case of previous enmity and once we get custody of the accused, the exact motive for the crime will be known," said Kumar.
