PANAJI
A daylight attack sent shockwaves in the capital city when a group of taxi drivers attacked each other in full public view at Azad Maidan on Friday. In fact, two cabbies from rival groups were injured in the attack that broke out while they met to resolve an ongoing dispute over the use of taxi stands for casino customers.
Sohail Khawas was attacked with a chopper, indicating it was a preplanned act. However, police sources have stated that Khawas himself was in possession of the dangerous weapon, but dropped it during the altercation. It was then picked up by his business rival and used to attack him. Khawas reportedly sustained severe stab injuries and was rushed to the hospital.
While two First Information Reports (FIR) have been registered based on the complaint and counter-complaint, the Panaji police were yet to make arrests till late Friday night.
According to witnesses, a discussion between 11 persons including cab drivers and their associates regarding parking arrangements near the off-shore casino offices, turned into a physical altercation. What began as a heated argument quickly escalated into a full-blown brawl. A lady was also allegedly involved in the issue as police claimed she was the first to start the physical fight.
On the previous evening, the taxi drivers nearly fought for casino customers’ transportation. It is hereafter that they came to a consensus to meet the following day to amicably resolve this issue.
However, the first complainant, Roshni claimed that the accused Yakub alias Pishani, Irfan, Imran and two others initially assaulted her and when her brother Sohail tried protecting her from the attack, the assailants thrashed him.
The police have also decided to write to the Transport Department to cancel the permits of the cab drivers who are operating from illegal taxi stands near the casinos.
Interestingly, The Goan has been reporting extensively on the history sheeters in the State with some of them actively involved in criminal activities, despite externment proceedings and chapter cases.
In the present case, police sources said, those with a long history of criminal activity might be indirectly involved in the brazen attack.
“The fight is in fact between the two notorious gangs, whose leaders are already booked as ‘history sheeters’ in the nearby police stations. They want to dominate the taxi business along this stretch in Panaji frequented by casino visitors,” a police official said.
