MAPUSA
In yet another troubling incident at the start of the tourism season, a family from Pune was allegedly assaulted by two local taxi drivers on Diwali day, October 31.
Calangute Police have arrested both the drivers.
The altercation reportedly stemmed from a minor dispute over parking near St Anthony's Chapel in Calangute.
According to reports, the family of four including a minor had parked their vehicle when they asked one of the drivers to move his car to facilitate their departure for dinner.
This request escalated into verbal abuse, ultimately leading to a physical confrontation in which the taxi drivers attacked the family.
Nazia Shaikh, one of the victims, described the alarming encounter, said: “We just wanted to leave for dinner, but the driver got angry and started yelling at us. Then another driver joined him, and they both attacked us.”
The altercation lasted for approximately ten minutes before the attackers fled the scene, reportedly after the family began recording the incident on their phone.
The victims promptly reported the attack to the Calangute police, who arrested both the assailants, identified as Peter Philip Noronha and Samir Naik on Friday.
A police official informed that it was a very minor incident which was blown over by the tourist family.
“There was no bleeding or any grave injury on the victims. But we have arrested both the drivers,” the official said.
Police have registered an offence under relevant sections of the BNS and Section 8 (b) of the Goa Children's Act.
This incident follows a concerning trend of attacks on tourists in Goa, raising alarms about visitor safety as the holiday season begins.
