THE GOAN NETWORK
OLD GOA
An argument over a worker took a violent turn when a businessman from Kumbarvaddy-Merces is alleged to have shot and injured a man at Merces on Monday afternoon.
According to information available with The Goan, Prasad Phadte of Betki-Marcela had accompanied a friend to the chicken farm of the accused in Merces, to resolve the dispute over the employment of a labourer by the accused.
Incidentally, both friends and the accused are in the chicken business.
“The friend had paid advance money to the labourer. Phadte had accompanied his friend so that they could persuade the accused to let go the labourer and send him to work with the friend till the advance money paid was recovered,” said a victim’s family member.
The source said an argument broke out between the accused and the duo, which ended with the accused allegedly shooting Phadte with his licensed gun.
“Four shots were fired by the accused. However, three of them missed as the victim, Phadte, was able to grab the gun. The fourth shot, though, struck Phadte on his left elbow and exited his hand,” the source added.
The injured Phadte was rushed to the GMC hospital where he is recuperating. His condition is stated to be stable.
On being notified of the incident, the Old Goa police went to the site to take stock of the situation. The panchanama was conducted and the police were able to recover three shells from the spot.
The licensed gun used by the accused in the incident is also in possession of the police. A forensic team also visited the spot and conducted investigations.
When contacted, a police source informed that the accused is still at large and investigations are in progress.
