TheGoan: Since January there has been no major breakthrough in the Museum theft?
Fr. Avinash: Progresshas been made in the case. Two individuals have been charge sheeted and ticketsto the museum retrieved from them. Clothes of the murderer have been found andidentified. Police have tracked communications of the suspects with antiquedealers in Mumbai. The police with the help of the museum staff have zeroed-inon certain individuals as prime suspects.
TheGoan: How can you as Museum Director be based in Margaowhen the Museum needs constant watch?
Fr. Avinash: Day to dayaffairs of the museum are taken care by the curator so I am not needed there ona daily basis. Also keeping a priest only for the museum is unjustifiable. Weare now trying to get someone from the Basilica or the See Cathedral to helpout at the museum. People say being in Margao, I was not aware of thefunctioning of the museum which is a myth. My image has been maligned by themedia.
TheGoan: Why blame the media. Clear cut lapses in security havebeen exposed?
Fr.Avinash: I admit we had an old alarm system that made noiseresulting in it being switched off. I admit our CCTV’s had no storage facilitybut these are rapid advancements in technology. We had security systems inplace that failed on that day. Now we have installed grills, new CCTVs and newalarms.
TheGoan: What do you see as the motive behind the theft?
Fr. Avinash: It isclearly seen that the burglar went to the last cupboard at the extreme end ofthe room and stole the gold items. The theft was committed by someone who knewthe value of the gold items. There was an individual lurking around the museumon the evening of the theft with a muffler. The police are in search of him. Iam constantly in touch with Edwin Colaco and Bosquet of the police departmentand the DIG and we expect an early breakthrough in the case.
