MARGAO
The Cuncolim police have arrested three persons for an attempt to murder, including the driver of a vehicle, which was suspected to be carrying effluents from a Cuncolim fish processing plant.
A tense situation prevailed at Balli village late Wednesday evening after locals stopped the truck, allegedly carrying the fish processing effluents for disposal at Vantem, Fatorpa.
The Cuncolim police immediately requisitioned police force from Margao, Fatorda and Maina Curtorim police stations as a precautionary measure and to avert any communal tension after the stoppage of the tanker brought rival groups face-to-face.
Agitated locals were furious after the truck driver reportedly called some 18-20 persons, who rushed to Balli in his support and allegedly attacked a local with a stone.
In his complaint, complainant Sameer Fal Dessai, age 40 years, stated that around 19:00 hrs, at Balli junction, the driver of the vehicle transporting the liquid substances of fish in a water tank loaded in a goods carriers vehicle, which was spilling on the road and giving foul smell which was injurious to the health of public and likely to cause disease.
Pointing out that the accused was creating a public nuisance, the complainant alerted locals, who intercepted the vehicle at Balli junction. The complainant stated that the accused contacted the other unknown persons over the phone, who arrived at the spot one after the other and attacked the complainant with a boulder/stone, claiming the stone. He claimed the stone was thrown at his head to kill him, but it fell on his leg, causing injuries.
Saying he survived the attack due to the intervention of locals and police present at the spot, the complainant stated that the accused persons would have killed him, adding some locals, as well as the police, sustained injuries while discharging their duties.
