CBI probe demand into police station attack case being examined: CM

Panaji, Mar 20 (UNI) The government is examining the possibility of instituting a CBI probe, if necessary, into the February 19 attack on Panjim headquarters police station in which several cops were injured and people's representatives beaten up.

''Many legislators, including Taleigao MLA Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate and his wife Jennifer, are demanding a CBI probe. The matter is sub judice and pending in the High Court. We are yet to take a decision in this regard,'' Chief Minister Digambar Kamat told UNI here today.

It might be recalled that Babush, Jennifer and mayor Tony Rodrigues, who was also injured, had filed a petition in the Bombay High Court seeking a directive to the state government to order a CBI probe into the episode.

Babush had led a ''dharna'' of his followers to the police station demanding suspension of a police inspector for allegedly conniving with a gangster.

With police not yielding, the mob attacked the police station with stones and lethal weapons injuring many cops including women, leading to lathicharge and bursting of teargas shells to quell the mob.

In retaliation, the police allegedly raided the Taleigao bungalow of Babush, ransacked furniture and smashed the windscreens of his four costly vehicles parked outside besides arrsting him, his wife and a son and thrashing them at the police station.

Several legislators including the opposition BJP demanded a CBI/judicial probe into the episode besides seeking suspension of the cops involved in attacking the peoples' representatives.

''If this is the fate of an MLA, you can imagine the fate of the am aadmi at the hands of the police. I will go to any extent to get justice,'' Mr Babush said.

The wives of the cops also sought a CBI probe into the attack on the police station and the role of the peoples' representatives in this case.

Following pressure, the government had transferred the North Goa SP, DSP, Inspector and some constables. It had not yet decided to order a probe even as one month lapsed since the attack.

Director General of Police B S Brar said he would consult the Home Secretary and others to finalise the nature of inquiry into the episode.

UNI BM MAZ MIR DB1959