Team Goemkarponn
CANACONA: Canacona Municipal Council (CMC) Chairperson Laxuman ‘Bakal’ Dharmu Pagui passed away late Sunday night after briefly falling unconscious at his residence in Palolem.
According to sources, Pagui suddenly collapsed at his home and had froth coming out of his mouth. Family members immediately rushed him to the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Canacona, where the doctor on duty declared him brought dead.
News of his sudden demise spread quickly across the taluka, sending shockwaves among residents and political circles. A large number of people gathered outside the CHC late Sunday night after hearing about the incident.
Pagui, who was a bachelor, is survived by his aged mother and an elder brother. Several of his cousins also reside next door at Palolem.
He had recently been sworn in as the fourth Chairperson of the Canacona Municipal Council in the current term on October 16, 2025, and was expected to continue in the position until the upcoming municipal elections in the State.
Apart from his role in the council, Pagui was also one of the prominent leaders of the All Goa Kshetriya Pagi Samaj and was known for his active involvement in social and community work.
On February 6 this year, Pagui had inaugurated the newly constructed three-storey Administrative-Cum-Commercial Building of the Canacona Municipality along with Urban Development Minister Vishwajit Rane and Canacona MLA and Sports Minister Ramesh Tawadkar. He had also chaired the council’s budgetary meeting held last week in his cabin at the new municipal building.
His sudden death has come as a shock across the State, particularly in Canacona, with many expressing grief over the untimely demise of the social worker and emerging political leader.
Following the post-mortem examination, his mortal remains are expected to reach his residence by early afternoon. The final rites will be held today, Monday, at the Palolem crematorium at 2 pm.
