Team Goemkarponn
ZUARINAGAR, SANCOALE: Tension prevailed in Zuarinagar, Sancoale, on Friday night after a family was allegedly attacked by a group of persons armed with knives, rods and stones, leaving several family members injured and their house damaged. One member of the family sustained a knife injury to the neck, while others, including women, were allegedly assaulted.
Ward panch member and former Sancoale sarpanch Girish Pillai rushed to the spot after receiving information about the incident. The injured were initially taken to Cansaulim Hospital and later shifted to Margao District Hospital for further treatment.
According to family members, the incident occurred after they returned home following the Durga Puja visarjan and parked their vehicles on the road outside their house. A group of persons allegedly approached them, claiming that the parked vehicles were obstructing their movement, despite the road being open.
When the family members approached the group to enquire about the objection, an argument allegedly broke out. The situation soon escalated, with the group reportedly hurling abuses and assaulting family members with rods, bottles and stones. The violence intensified as more family members arrived, and knives were allegedly used during the assault.
The family alleged that the group, reportedly comprising local residents, frequently gathered at an isolated spot surrounded by thick vegetation to consume alcohol and ganja. They claimed that residents had repeatedly complained about the alleged nuisance and harassment but that their grievances had gone unaddressed.
According to the family, minor disputes and instances of harassment had become frequent in the area. However, Friday night’s incident marked a serious escalation, with family members allegedly being attacked with weapons. They further alleged that some of those involved were influential and possibly politically connected, raising concerns over the lack of police action.
Pillai demanded strict action against those responsible and called for their immediate arrest. He also urged Verna police to intensify patrolling in the area to prevent further incidents and ensure the safety of residents.
Zilla Panchayat member Sunil Gawas said he would personally take up the matter with Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant, stating that the alleged harassment had gone out of control and was creating fear among local residents.
Gawas also expressed concern over recurring law-and-order incidents in Zuarinagar, alleging that residents were increasingly living in fear. He called for urgent intervention to restore a sense of security and prevent further violence in the area.
