Babush remanded to 7-day police custody

Panaji, Feb 20 (UNI) Unattached MLA from Taleigao Atanasio Monserrate (Babush) and three of his followers, who allegedly attacked Panjim police station and resorted to vandalis yesterday night, were remanded to seven-day police custody here today.

Babush's wife, Jennifer, member of North Goa Zilla Parishad and supporter Michael Fernandes were, however, remanded to seven days in judicial custody by a Judicial Munciff First Class Magistrate Court.

The six have been booked on several charges under the provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) including criminal conspiracy and attempt to murder some constables during the raid on police station and injuring others.

Earlier, the government made it clear that it would deal firmly with those who took the law into their hands even as the BJP opposition demanded institution of a judicial probe into the episode.

Patrolling had been intensified in the Taleigao area and armed pickets posted as a precautionary measure, while the supporters of the legislators were planning to call for Panjim 'bandh' tomorrow.

The legislator, along with scores of his followers, had staged a sit-in 'dharna' in front of the police station last night demanding suspension of a police inspector for supporting goons, who beat up his followers.

The mob turned violent with police not budging in, resulting in lathicharge and bursting of teargas shells with the agitators pelting stones at the police station, attacking the cops, burning vehicles and gatecrashing into the station house.

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