the goan I network
VALPOI
Expressing outrage over the attack on a woman at Pissurlem-Sattari on Wednesday, locals of Palavde-Keri marched to the Valpoi police station on Thursday and demanded a stricter offence to be registered against the accused.
According to sources, the incident took place as Chandana Sawant of Palavde-Sattari was going on a scooter from Sakhali to the Goa State Cooperative Bank at Advoi-Sattari.
The two accused from Vante-Sattari followed her on their own bike and allegedly attacked her with a sharp knife in front of Pissurlem, causing her shoulder and neck injuries. The two accused reportedly fled from the spot, as onlookers rushed to her aid.
Sawant was shifted to the Community Health Centre at Sakhali and was later referred to the Goa Medical College hospital at Bambolim. After receiving treatment at the GMC hospital, she was moved back to the Sakhali CHC, where she is undergoing treatment.
As news of the incident spread to her native place at Palavde, a number of youth rushed to the police station and demanding police action against the accused.
The Valpoi police late Wednesday night registered an FIR under Section 341 IPC.
On Thursday, a number of people from Keri Panchayat led by Sarpanch Govind Gawas and Vasudev Sawant went to the police station, demanding that an offence under Section 307 (attempt to murder) IPC be registered against the accused.
The police, however, claimed that a medical report from the GMC had stated that Sawant had sustained minor injuries and Section 307 was not registered against the accused.
The accused, Sachin Gaonkar and Srikanth Gaonkar, both from Vante-Sattari were arrested in this connection.
Later speaking to reporters, Keri Sarpanch Govind Gawas said the Valpoi police station should have booked a more serious offence against the accused.
“It was an attempt to murder with sharp weapons. We strongly demand registration of Section 307 IPC against the accused, else the people will stage an agitation outside the police station,” warned Gawas.
Vasudev Sawant said the accused had previously targetted Chandana Sawant and two cases have been registered with the police.
