In three weeks, the Anjuna police’s careless cover up of abrutal murder stands exposed. But even after the accused Ubaldo Fernandes, whothe Anjuna PI tried to protect for reasons that need to be investigated, hasconfessed, the murder weapon hasn’t been recovered.
The police had initially claimed that Rita Almeida’s deathwas caused by a fatal asthma attack. She was actually shot dead on September 24at her residence in Mazalwaddo, Anjuna. The accused was arrested a day afterthe murder took place.
On the other hand, Rita’s brother Caitan has been going fromhouse to house, on a signature drive, to submit the memorandum to the chiefminister demanding a CBI probe. The Parish Pastoral Council of Anjuna villageis helping Caitan, and priest, during the Sunday service, appealed villagers tocome forward in support of Caitan’s efforts to get justice for his sister. “Thepeople here are scared to be a part of it, because they’re afraid of hisbrother Menino, a history sheeter” said Caitan Almeida.
He claims that the response of the villagers was very poorand many were scared that Ubaldo would get out on bail and come kill them? “I am quite surprised about the approach ofthe villagers” Caitan stated. “I was targeting at least 500 signatures from 9wards of the Anjuna village panchayat, but after the response of villagers I amnot even confident that I will receive 100 signatures, said Caitan.
He claimed that the police were hand in glove with theaccused and his family members. “If not the CBI, the case should be handed overto the crime branch or any senior police officer,” added the grieving brother.
Ledia D’souza, who is supporting Caitan in his signaturecampaign, has said that Mr Manohar Parrikar should intervene in the matter andshould do needful. “We want sincere and honest police office in Anjuna to guardthis coastal village and we would like to appeal to the home minister andrequest him not to corrupt officers in Anjuna” Ledia states.
The memorandum has mentioned how the Anjuna police areleaving loopholes in the investigation. “It is our concern that the gun has notyet been recovered. We are in constant fear that the accused will be grantedbail due to the lackadaisical attitude of the police in doing the basicinvestigation of the murder” memorandum reads.
The DGP Goa Police is on record saying that there is noconfusion in the investigation and there is no need to change the investigationofficer in the murder case. The question is, when his own men tried to hush upthe case, how can Anjunkars believe that the force is not lying again?
