MARGAO
Tension rent the air at Pajifond when a group attacked two persons, including the trustee of the Hindu crematorium run by the Margao-based Hindu Mathagramastha Sabha on Sunday evening over dumping of waste inside the crematorium.
President of the Hindu Mathagramastha Sabha Bhai Naik and Bajrang Dal chief Viraj Desai rushed to the Fatorda police station demanding stern action against the accused persons.
BJP leader and Davorlim Panch member Saish Rajadyax and trustee Jaiwant Fondekar claimed the assailants, numbering around 10-12 were armed with choppers, iron rods attacked them after being questioned over dumping of waste in the HMS crematorium property.
Later in the evening, the Fatorda Police arrested seven persons, six from Pajifond and one from Curtorim, in connection with the assault. The police have booked them Section 307 of the IPC for attempt to murder.
Saish told media at the Fatorda police station that he was heading home on Sunday evening from his restaurant when he found one person going into the crematorium with waste. “When I questioned him over his action, he replied saying he is dumping the waste inside the crematorium every day. I removed the keys of his vehicle and called up crematorium trustee Jaiwant Fondekar to find out whether any permission is granted to dump the waste in the premise”, Saish said.
He said by the time Fondekar came to the site, a group of around 10-12 persons armed with choppers, and weapons such as rods came on the site and attacked him and Fondekar. “They snatched my chain and even threatened to attack members of the majority community”, he said.
President of HMS Bhai Naik said condemned the dadagiri resorted by the group of persons from another community at the crematorium premises. “How can these people attack our trustee right in our premises? Tomorrow, they will attack the people at their houses”, Bhai said, while making a plea to the MLA and Councillors not to use their influence to get the accused released.
Bajrang Dal leader Viraj Desai demanded that the Fatorda police initiate stern action against the accused persons as per the law. “Tomorrow, no one should blame the Hindus for defending themselves from such elements. We are law abiding citizens. We expect the law to give justice to the two victims”, Viraj demanded.
