MAPUSA
Under pressure, Goa Police swung into action and arrested three persons on Wednesday evening over the attack that took place on Souza Lobo, the popular restaurant on Calangute beach.
A firearm used during the attack was also seized by the police.
Late Tuesday night, a group of around 30-50 persons barged into the Souza Lobo restaurant allegedly armed with swords, iron rods and glass bottles and vandalized the place.
In the ensuing scuffle, five to six staff of Souza Lobo restaurant were injured, two of whom were critical and undergoing treatment at the Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim.
Calangute Police lodged counter complaints in the incident, which took place at around 9 pm on Tuesday.
Based on the complaint of Jude Lobo, the owner of Souza Lobo, police registered a case against one, Sunil Bhomkar and 50 other suspects for vandalising the restaurant and assaulting the employees under IPC sections of attempt to murder, rioting and causing grievous injuries.
Later, police arrested three accused – Gajendra Singh alias Chotu, Rahul Rathore (20) and Sunil Rathore (21) – while a search is on to nab others in the case.
All three were arrested for attempt to murder, rioting and causing grievous injuries under relevant sections of the IPC.
A tourist guide Navin Kumar of Himachal Pradesh filed a counter-complaint with the police stating that some unidentified suspected employees of Hangover (a club belonging to Souza Lobo) attacked them with beer bottles and fired three shots from a pistol.
Based on Kumar’s complaint, police have registered a case against unidentified employees of the Hangover club under Sections 324 and 336 of the IPC and Sections 3 and 27 of the Firearms Act.
On Wednesday afternoon, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Paramaditya (IPS) along with SP Bossuet Silva, DySP Edwin Colaco and Calangute PI Nolasco Raposo visited the spot.
“Last night there was a fight between two groups. It’s informed that 30 to 50 persons were there. We are trying to verify all the facts,” said DIG Paramaditya (IPS).
He said the motive was not yet known but suspected it to be a business rivalry, which was also being verified.
There were conflicting narratives about the attack with some attributing it as an ego battle between two groups which resulted in a full-blown fight.
However, the owner of Souza Lobo restaurant, Jude Lobo said it was a pre-planned attack by the Delhi owner of the neighbouring property who has been eyeing his property.
“It was all well planned. Fifty people cannot suddenly come armed with weapons. They fired gunshots too. They’re trying to frighten us so that we leave this place. They offered us Rs 40 crore for the property, but we don’t want to sell,” said the Lobo couple, owners of Souza Lobo.
They said Tuesday’s incident was the third attack on the restaurant by the owner of the neighbouring property.
They also said the police have failed to take any action against the culprits.
Responding to a report in the section of the press (not The Goan) that the incident was a fall-out over entry into a dance bar being operated in their restaurant, the owners clarified that were operating a club, and not a dance bar.
Earlier, on Wednesday Chief Minister Pramod Sawant assured the arrest of all those involved by Wednesday evening.
"Strict action will be taken," Sawant said, adding that such violence will not be tolerated in the sensitive tourist belt.
