Cops struggle to find motive in Kankonkar’s assault case

Panaji: Seven accused arrested in connection with the alleged attempt to murder have not revealed the motive and name of the mastermind behind assaulting activist Rama Kankonkar.

Even after interrogating the accused in the case for more than 48 hours, Panaji police are still unable to determine the motive behind the attack.

On Saturday, 14 persons were examined in connection with the assault, out of them, 11 have been placed under preventive arrest and will be produced in front of deputy collector, SP (North) Rahul Gupta said. “No direct involvement in the case was discovered, still preventive arrests have been made to deter them from committing any crime in the future,” he said.

The opposition on Friday has given an ultimatum to govt to arrest the mastermind in the case, or else they will continue their agitation on Monday.

The arrested accused have been identified as Anthony Nadar (31), Francis Nadar (28), Minguel Araujo (24), and Franco D’Costa (28) — all residents of Santa Cruz. Police have also arrested Manish Hadfadkar (24) of Chorao, Suresh Naik (31), and Sairaj Govekar (28), a resident of Pilerna.

“The issue is not put to rest. The issue will remain alive till the mastermind behind the attack is arrested,” Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai had said.

Kankonkar was allegedly assaulted with a cycle chain, had his shirt torn, and cow dung rubbed on his face by six people at Caranzalem on Thursday afternoon. Before leaving, they also photographed him.

After the incident, the accused left the spot on two-wheelers. The entire incident took place within two minutes, as per the CCTV footage.

Hundreds of protesters, including activists, MLAs, and locals, brought traffic in the state capital to a halt on Friday as they rallied in solidarity with Kankonkar, demanding swift justice and invoking fears of a collapse of law and order in Goa.

The protest, which began at Azad Maidan, soon spilled onto Panaji’s streets, first outside the police headquarters, then the Church Square, to BJP state office, a blockade of D B Road before culminating at the chief minister’s official residence at Altinho.