Govt to order CBI probe into Panjim police attack

Panaji, Mar 26 (UNI) Goa government has expressed its willingness to order a CBI probe into the February 19 attack on Panjim police headquarters and subsequent physical assault of people's representatives, including Taleigao MLA Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate who lead the mob that went berserk.

Advocate General Subodh Kantak conveyed the government decision to Bombay High Court bench here yesterday, in response to the writ petition filed by Babush, his wife Jennifer, injured Mayor Tony Rodrigues and his wife Ubaldina.

They complained of human rights violation and sought a directive of the court to State government ordering a CBI probe into the episode.

Even the wives of several injured cops have demanded a CBI probe into the entire episode. They had threatened to go on an indefinite hunger strike if the police were victimised by the government.

Babush, leading the mob of his followers, staged a sit-in strike in front of the police station demanding suspension of a police inspector for his alleged connivance with a rival gang on February 19 evening.

With the police not yielding, the mob injured several cops including women by pelting stones on the police station and using other lethal weapons.

This forced the police to resort to lathi-charge and burst tear-gas even as the mob indulged in setting police vehicles ablaze.

In retaliation, the police allegedly raided the legislator's house in search of Babush and damaged the furniture and smashed windscreens of four of his costly vehicles parked outside.

Babush, Jennifer, their son and others were arrested for threatening the cops at the police station. They were later released on a conditional bail by the sessions court.

The government had transferred the North Goa Police superintendent, a DSP, PI, SI and few constables in this connection.

UNI BM GR MSJ HT145