Youngsters beat up Shripad, bodyguard fires

Sandesh Prabhudesai
16 December 2001  

The police, for beating up union minister of state for shipbuilding Shripad Naik, arrested two youngsters, riding a motorcycle, while his bodyguard injured the rider and a passer-by boy in firing.

According to Karnal Singh, DIG of Police, the speeding motorcycle hit the minister’s private car when he was taking a right turn towards his residence. One mini bus and another private car were behind the minister’s car at this time.

The young angry brothers – Irfan (28) and Aiyas (21) Aga – ran towards the minister and started beating him up in the car itself while his bodyguard – Dilip Mahato – came running from the house for minister’s rescue.

As the youngsters did not stop beating up the minister in spite of telling his identity, claims the DIG, the bodyguard fired one round in the air, followed by three more rounds. One of it hit the motorcycle rider on the left arm while another one hit an 18-year old passerby on the road.

Irfan has however denied the police version that they tried to snatch the bodyguard’s weapon. Claiming that they did not know he was a minister, he admits that they beat him up in the heat of anger.

The police have arrested both the young brothers, charging them for assaulting a government servant, attempting to snatch a weapon and rash and negligent driving. The ministers as well as both the injured are admitted to the Goa Medical College.

The police have also decided to reward Naik’s bodyguard for saving his life, with timely intervention.

Though Singh claims that another brother went to catch hold of minister’s wife, she denied it stating that these boys did not touch her. Naik, who has received bruises on his chest and stomach, also says it was a pure accident.

Naik also does not suspect any attempt of deliberate attack, stating that his private visit was not known to anybody. In fact, the minister was driving himself while his two children were also sitting behind in the car.

The police are however trying to verify identity of both the boys – whom they call assailants – who are from Sanquelim village in North Goa. Clarifying that no weapon is found with them, Singh however also did not rule out the possibility of deliberate attack.

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