Pernem: Following the death of 37-year-old Amar Bandekar at the Arambol beach in an assault on Sunday evening, Mandrem police on Monday arrested a shack worker, Surender Narayandas Kumar (39), a native of Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. Police also detained 15 persons, including the staff of a shack in connection with the incident.
Police said that Bandekar, a resident of Khalchawada, Arambol, during his evening walk on the beach found tables placed close to the shore by a shack operator and casually moved one of the chairs. A staffer of the shack confronted Bandekar after spotting him speaking to a tourist seated at one of the tables. This led to a verbal and physical altercation between Bandekar and the shack worker.
Police said that other staff members of the shack and the vicinity also intervened and started assaulting Bandekar.
After the assault, Bandekar walked for around 50 metres and collapsed, police said.
He was immediately shifted to Pernem Community Health Centre, Tuem where the medical officer on duty declared him dead on arrival.
A complaint was lodged by the deceased’s brother, Yuvraj Dattaram Bandekar, against the accused.
Mandrem police have registered a murder case under Section 103 read with Section 3(5) BNS-2023.
Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar, who visited the site, said, “Shacks have permission to erect deck beds and tables within 15 metres of the shore. However, some operators go beyond this and set up tables close to the shore, which was the cause of this incident. Mandrem police have registered a case of murder and investigation is on.”
“It is sad to see how outsiders coming to Goa are attacking locals. We will have to be strict on such issues, keep vigil and take necessary precautions to avoid such incidents in future. Such incidents tarnish tourism as well as the state’s image. The Tourism Department has to keep a check on shacks violating norms,” Arolkar added.
As per sources, the shack where the incident occurred was allotted to a local by the Tourism Department. However, it was further sublet to a non-Goan, sources said.
PI Sherif Jaques is investigating the case under the supervision of SDPO Pernem Ashish Shirodkar.
