RTI activist ‘assaulted’ by Colva p’yat member

Times of India: Margao: Thursday, 19 February 2015.

RTI activist Jovette D'Souza was allegedly assaulted with a stick and a penknife by Colva panchayat member Menino Fernandes along with seven others after waylaying him at Colva, Tuesday evening. While D'Souza has been admitted to the Hospicio Hospital, Margao, for treatment, Fernandes was arrested on Wednesday and later released on bail.

Fernandes was charged under Sections 143 (forming unlawful assembly), 341 (wrongful restraint), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 427 (committing mischief leading to loss or damage) of the Indian Penal Code.

Fernandes, earlier on Tuesday, had lodged a complaint with the Colva police accusing D'Souza of trespassing the compound of his house, and damaging his vehicle.

What has lent political overtones to the episode is the fact that the minister for rural development, Fransisco 'Mickky' Pacheco, visited the hospital on Tuesday and allegedly confronted the police while they were conducting the panchanama.

On Wednesday, members of the Colva Civic and Consumer Forum (CCCF) led by its convenor Judith Almeida, met Colva PI Uttam Raut Dessai and demanded action against D'Souza's assailants. Speaking to mediapersons outside the police station, Almeida charged Pacheco with interfering in police investigations.