Ares
Pics: Rajtilak Naik
for Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji (AF)
Panaji, Feb 20: Former Goa minister and Taleigao constituency legislator Atanasio Monserratte along with Mayor of corporation of city of Panaji Tony Rodrigues was detained tonight after a mob attacked Panaji police station setting three vehicles on fire.
The situation in Panaji and surrounding areas remained tensed as police launched a major operation to arrest the supporters of Monserratte who had earlier attacked the police station.
Taleigao MLA Atanasio Monserratte along with his associates marching in the town forcing closure of commercial establishments
Heaps of tyres were set ablaze by Monserrate supporters in Taleigao
Supporters of Monserratte gather outside his residence in Taleigao
The deserted look of the Taleigao market
Atanasio Monserratte and his supporters during the massive morcha outside the Panaji police station
Atanasio Monserratte and mayor Tony Rodrigues seen in discussion with the SDPO Mohan Naik in the Panaji police station
Bloodshed in Panaji police station owing to stone pelting by the mob. Stones and police shoes are also seen
Taleigao, a sub urban locality dotting Panaji city, had turned into fortress after police themselves ransacked Bunglow owned by Monserratte and detained his wife, Jeniffer.
The trouble began this evening when two gangs had clashed against each other at Taleigao. Police later had arrested two persons who were kept at the police station.
This irked Monserratte supporters who led a huge morcha at the police station. The situation went out of control when agitators began pelting stones at the police station. The sudden violence later broke and agitators torched three vehicles at the police station.
Police retaliating
Cars were damaged by the Police force in retaliation
Police with tear gas guns
Vehicles were damaged and set on fire outside the Panaji police station by Monserratte supporters
Atanasio Monserratte's cars damaged after police force ransacked his bungalow at Miramar and his residence at Taleigao in retaliation
Police cordon outside the Panaji police station
In an attempt to curb the violence, police resorted to lathi charge and fired tear gas to disperse the mob.
After the mob had dispersed, police went to Monserratte's residence and ransacked his bunglow detaining his wife, who is also a political activist.
Later, Monserratte, who had arrived with the city Mayor was also detained by the police.
Unexpectedly, police had taken charge of the entire city and media was asked to leave the place.
The situation remains tensed in the city and surrounding areas as police have continued picking up monserratte supporters.