-- Samir Umarye
BICHOLIM: The attack on three persons, including Animal Rescue Squad ( ARS) Chief Amrut Singh, has evoked strong reactions from all quarters, with some organisations demanding a special inquiry into the attack. It may be recalled that Amrut Singh, Gau Raksha Samiti Chief Hanumant Parab and Vasudev Zarekar were attacked with bamboo sticks while they were returning from Belgaum in a car late Thursday evening. When asked to comment on the possible motive behind the attack, Parab alleged that people from Sanquelim and surrounding area were involved in the attack. “ We had gone to Belgaum to file a complaint against illegal slaughter and trading of animals into Goa and while returning, we were attacked,” said Parab. “ We had filed a complaint with the Camp police station at Belgaum and had also met the Police superintendent at Belgaum to express our concern over the illegal cross- border trade going on between Belgaum and Goa,” he added. The complaint was registered by the trio after they had seized illegal beef at the Keri outpost a few days earlier. Four persons from Belgaum were arrested. When contacted, Bharat Swabhiman Chief Kamlesh Bandekar came down heavily on Bicholim and Valpoi police and demanded special inquiry into the matter. “ There is a systematic illegal beef trade going on from Keri border and the police are just mute spectators. The attack was organised after the people were enraged after animal lovers had filed a complaint at Belgaum,” said Bandekar. Protest meet PONDA: Animal lovers from Ponda have convened a meeting at Kranti Maidan, Ponda, on Saturday at 5.30 pm to protest and demand police action against the attack on Animal Rescue Squad Chief Amrut Singh and two others.
