Team Goemkarponn
CANACONA: Canacona police arrested a 22-year-old youth on Wednesday for allegedly threatening his family members, villagers, motorists and police personnel with koitas (sickles) in both hands at Gulem in Canacona on Tuesday night.
The accused, identified as Sameer Chawan, allegedly created panic in the locality by first threatening his family members and subsequently brandishing koitas while stopping motorists on the public road and threatening to kill them.
According to sources, some alert residents attempted to intervene and calm the situation. However, the youth allegedly turned aggressive and tried to attack those present. Police personnel rushed to the spot following information about the incident, and one of them managed to apprehend the youth.
However, the accused reportedly managed to break free from police custody and escaped into nearby thick vegetation under the cover of darkness.
The incident triggered tension in the locality, with residents expressing concern over the possibility of the youth attacking unsuspecting members of the public. Some people reportedly threatened action against the family if the youth continued to remain at large.
Canacona Police Inspector Therron D’Costa also reportedly warned the family members that they could be taken into custody if the youth failed to surrender.
Meanwhile, a large number of people gathered at the spot, including Congress leader Janardhan Bhandari and Canacona MLA and Minister Ramesh Tawadkar, who reached the scene along with the police inspector.
During discussions with the family, it emerged that they were finding it difficult to control the youth. The family, reportedly hailing from Maharashtra, has been operating a blacksmith unit along the roadside at Gulem for several years, manufacturing traditional agricultural and household tools, including koitas, knives and pickaxes.
Amid public concerns over repeated disturbances, residents reportedly demanded that the family vacate the roadside premises to prevent further trouble.
Police subsequently launched a search operation and managed to track down and take the accused into custody on Wednesday.
According to sources, the arrested youth was found to be mentally unstable and was shifted to a hospital in Panaji for medical examination and treatment.
The incident had created considerable panic in Gulem, with residents demanding timely police intervention to prevent any untoward incident.
