Social activist assaulted in Goa Panaji (PTI): A noted social activist, who had initiated a crusade against Goa Education Minister Atanasio Monserratte, was brutally assaulted by a group of people here, police said on Tuesday.
A group of seven to eight persons attacked Aires Rodrigues, a high court lawyer and renowned social activist, last night when he was going out for dinner at a local restaurant, they said. Rodrigues had his two fingers severed and bruises all over the body, police said, adding that historian Prajal Sakhardande, who was accompanying Rodrigues, was also attacked. Rodrigues had accused Education Minister Monserratte of filling up his election affidavit with wrong educational qualifications. The lawyer-turned-activist had also aided German researcher Fadela Fuchs, who had alleged that her 14-year-old minor daughter was sexually and mentally abused by Monserratte's elder son Rohit. The researcher was supposed to meet Deputy Superintendent of Police Gundu Naik today regarding her complaint against Monserratte's son. When contacted, Superintendent of Police (SP) Bosco George refused to comment whether the attack is linked with Rodrigues' crusade against alleged illegalities committed by Monserratte. "I don't want to comment at this time," George said. However, even 12 hours after the incident, Goa police have not made any arrest in the attack. The police remained tight lipped over the entire episode. http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/002200810141280.htm ~(^^)~ Avelino
