PORVORIM
Tension ascended in Saligao following the assault of the village parish priest Fr Mathew Rodrigues on Monday afternoon.
Soon after the news of assault broke out in the village, the residents gathered outside the police station and started demanding the arrest of the accused.
After the investigation, police arrested the accused Joseph D'Souza under sections 341, 323, 504 and 506(2) of the Indian Penal Code.
Police Inspector Milind Bhuimber informed that the Saligao parish priest had filed a complaint that Joseph D'Souza entered the church property and abused him for dumping mud in the latter's property.
"Fr Mathew tried to explain to the accused that he has not dumped mud in the latter’s property, but the accused continued using filthy language and later punched the parish priest. Upon receiving the complaint, the police swung into action immediately and arrested Joseph D'Souza after registering a complaint against him. Police are investigating the matter. The accused will be produced before the judicial magistrate first class on Tuesday for remand," said PI Bhuimber.
Saligao MLA Jayesh Salgoankar, who rushed to the village church after hearing about the assault on the parish priest, condemned the attack on the religious for no fault of his.
"The parish priest has not committed any crime. If the accused had any grievances, he should have approached the concerned authority or police station, but he has no right to raise his hand against the priest. Police has taken the correct action," said Salgaonkar.
Sarpanch of Saligao panchayat Lafira Gomes stated that the panchayat did not receive any complaint whatsoever from the accused Joseph D'Souza.
"If the panchayat had received the complaint from the accused it would have tried to solve the issue. The accused should have filed a complaint at least with the police station, but he has no right to assault the parish priest. This is not at all acceptable," said Gomes.
