Daijiworld Media Network – Bicholim
Bicholim, Oct 5: Two persons were arrested on Friday for attacking a ferry crew at the Surla ferry wharf, police said. The incident occurred on October 2 around 8.50 pm when the ferry boat ‘Chandor’, plying the Volvoi-Surla route, docked at the wharf.
According to reports, a person riding a scooter allegedly abused the ferry crew, prompting Ramakant Phadte (58) of Volvoi-Ponda to ask him the reason. The accused, Rupesh Naik (40) of Dhakul Maina, Sanquelim, allegedly removed a koita from his scooter and struck Phadte on the head, causing grievous injuries. When other crew members intervened, Naik allegedly threatened them with the weapon before fleeing the scene with an unknown pillion rider. Phadte was immediately shifted to GMC Hospital, Bambolim, for treatment.
Bicholim police, acting on leads, tracked Naik to a dense forest in the Podocem direction. After an intensive 16-hour search operation supervised by PI Vijay Rane, Naik was apprehended. The second accused, Aniket Navelkar (28) of Fanaswadi-Navelim, identified as the pillion rider, was also arrested. Naik faces attempt to murder charges, while Navelkar was charged with abetting the crime. Both were remanded to six days in custody.
Police have traced the vehicle used in the attack, while the weapon is yet to be recovered.