Daijiworld Media Network – Porvorim
Porvorim, Apr 5: In a disturbing incident on Friday morning, Porvorim police arrested three individuals, including two tourists from Uttar Pradesh, for allegedly assaulting a tourist taxi driver following a road mishap near Nerul.
According to police sources, the incident occurred when a tourist taxi ferrying guests from Candolim to Dabolim airport was rear-ended by a private car at Nerul. Following the minor collision, an altercation broke out, during which the occupants of the private vehicle allegedly assaulted the taxi driver.
The injured driver later filed a complaint at the Porvorim police station and was referred to the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC), Bambolim, for a medical check-up.
As news of the incident spread, members of the local taxi community gathered at the police station, demanding stringent action against the accused.
Speaking to media persons outside the station, Sunil Naik, President of the Tourist Taxi Union, condemned the attack. “We always welcome and treat tourists with respect, but that does not give them the right to take advantage and abuse our hospitality. There have been several such incidents in recent months, and we demand strict action from the government,” he said.
Porvorim police, acting swiftly, arrested three accused Ashish Kumar Pandit (30), a resident of Housing Board Colony, Porvorim, and two tourists, Akansh Rana (30) and Abhishek Pundir Singh (25), both hailing from Uttar Pradesh. The trio was booked under Section 170 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. Investigations are currently underway.
This incident is the latest in a string of similar assaults reported in recent months. On February 6, two tourists from Nashik allegedly attacked a car driver with helmets and fists at Sangolda. Again, on March 12, three tourists reportedly assaulted a local taxi driver in Naikavaddo-Calangute and vandalized his vehicle.
The series of assaults has raised serious concerns within the local taxi operators' community, prompting renewed calls for better protection and stronger enforcement to ensure the safety of transport workers in Goa.