NT Reporter
Panaji
In a brazen act of daylight violence that has shocked Goa, social activist Rama Kankonkar was brutally attacked by a gang of six assailants near the Children’s Park at Caranzalem on Thursday
afternoon.
The assault, carried out with lethal weapons in full public view, has left Kankonkar grievously
injured.
Police have registered a case of conspiracy and an attempt to murder under Sections 126(2), 109, 351(3) read with Section 61 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
Hours after the assault, Panaji police Thursday night apprehended five of the six men suspected to be involved in the attack. All the suspects are history-sheeters from St Cruz, Chorao and Porvorim. One suspect remains on the run.
Eyewitnesses said Kankonkar had stepped out of a local restaurant after having lunch with a colleague when six men ambushed him.
One of the attackers reportedly grabbed him from behind, while the others launched an assault using a steel wire, knives and an iron rod. Kankonkar was flung onto the road and beaten mercilessly for several minutes. The assailants also smeared cow dung on the activist’s face before fleeing on two-wheelers.
Kankonkar later alleged that one of the attackers carried a firearm, though it was not fired during the attack. Despite the presence of bystanders, the assailants brandished knives to keep the onlookers at bay, leaving the victim defenceless.
“They struck me without warning. I was blinded and attacked with a steel cable wire, knives and rods. They even had a gun. One of them mocked me, saying, ‘You want to save Goa,’” Kankonkar told media persons before being shifted to the Goa Medical College and Hospital at Bambolim. Doctors confirmed multiple injuries but said his condition is stable. Adding to the activist’s trauma, an ambulance reportedly took nearly 30 minutes to reach the site of attack.
According to the police, a complaint in the case was lodged by journalist Soiru Velip, who stated that a gang of six men conspired to confine Kankonkar and attack him in public view. The assailants, armed with knives, rods and even a firearm, allegedly threatened to kill the activist and also brandished weapons at Velip when he tried to intervene, as per the complaint.
Immediately after the incident was reported, Panaji police formed eight teams comprising 31 personnel under the leadership of SDPO Panaji. Using CCTV footage and existing crime records, all six accused were identified within three hours of the assault.
The first breakthrough came near Dodamarg bus stand, where a team led by PSI Nitin Naik traced and apprehended two suspects – Anthony Nadar (31) and Francis Nadar (28), both residents of St Cruz.
During interrogation, the duo disclosed the movements of the remaining assailants, who were allegedly preparing to flee to Karnataka by train. Acting on this information, another team headed by PI Vijay Chodankar of Panaji police station tracked the suspects to Margao railway station where the police arrested three more men – Suresh Naik (31) of Porvorim, Minguel Araujo (24) of St Cruz and Manish Hadfadkar (24) of Chorao. All five are said to have criminal records, with several previous cases registered against them. The sixth accused remains on the run, though police are confident of making an arrest soon. “We are working on concrete leads. The operation will continue until the final accused is apprehended,” SP Gupta said.
Earlier in the day, a delegation from the tribal community, led by former MLA Prasad Gaonkar, met Inspector General of Police K R Chaurasia, demanding arrest of the culprits within 24 hours. The delegation also demanded that the main culprit behind the attack be booked. The IGP assured the delegation that the perpetrators would be brought to justice without delay.
The shocking nature of the assault has left Caranzalem residents rattled, with many expressing disbelief that such a crime could occur in a busy residential locality in broad daylight. The CCTV camera footage of the attack has gone viral on social media, sparking widespread condemnation from activists, opposition leaders and civil society groups.
Locals have called for increased police presence and better coordination between residents and the authorities to restore confidence in community safety. “This happened in broad daylight; it’s frightening that someone who works for the public good could be attacked so viciously,” said a resident at the scene of the attack.
Meanwhile, activists and political leaders gathered outside GMC, demanding swift justice and better protection for those who take up public causes.
Kankonkar has been outspoken on civic issues. In the past, he faced police action, including arrest, after being accused of allegedly making derogatory remarks against the Chief Minister.
