NCP demands judicial probe into police station attack

Panaji, Feb 22 (UNI) The NCP today demanded institution of a judicial inquiry into the February 19 attack on the Panaji police station, allegedly by unattached legislator Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate and his followers.

''This is to ensure that the culprits are identified and booked and non-repetition of similar condemnable incidents in future,'' NCP state president Dr Wilfred D'Souza told mediapersons here.

The very fact that the government had transferred the North Goa district Superintendent of Police with immediate effect vindicates who were at fault in handling the peoples's representatives in the episode, including city Mayor Tony Rodrigues and Mr Monserrate's wife Jennifer, who is a member of the Zilla Parishad, he said.

Dr D'Souza, however, failed to find fault with the peoples' representatives behaviour, but instead justified their action.

On the otherhand, the former chief minister blamed the police for failing to take precautionary measures to tackle the mob that had led to the explosive situation.

He also condemned the ransacking of Mr Monserrate's house at Taleigao after the attack on the police station, stating that the law should be allowed to take its own course.

''Entire episode is a blot on the image of Goa, known for peace and tranquility, that should be maintained at any cost,'' he said.

Meanwhile, state Power minister Alexeio Sequeira, Panchayat Raj minister Manohar Azgaonkar and Congress legislator Reginaldo Laurenco condemned the police action against the fellow legislator Mr Monserrate and demanded a thorough probe into the incident.

They also demanded suspension of the concerned top police officials, including the Director General of Police, for their alleged high-handed behavior in tackling the situation.

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