Goa MLA held for attack on police

PANAJI: Former Goa minister and sitting MLA Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate, along with his wife Jennifer, has been accused of inciting a mob and attacking a police station in the state capital. He now faces murder charges. Both were produced before the court on Wednesday, which remanded Mr Monseratte to seven days in police custody and his wife to a week in judicial custody.

The incident involving the controversial legislator happened on Tuesday evening when a mob led by the MLA demanded immediate release of Ryan Godinho who, they alleged, had been beaten up and falsely implicated by cops. The police, however, insist that Ryan has been taken into custody on charges of creating public disharmony.

The police said Mr Monseratte , along with his supporters, demanded the immediate transfer of the inspector investigating the case in question. When they were not obliged, the mob turned violent and started pelting stones and attacking police staff. In retaliation, the police used lathis and lobbed tear gas to disperse the crowd. The attack has left some half-a-dozen policemen injured.

���This is for the first time in my 40 years of career that I���ve seen a mob attack the police station. What���s the difference between this and a Naxal attack if the police is targeted?��� wondered Goa DGP BS Brar.

���Despite discussions, they insisted that the PI be transferred immediately. Then the MLA, along with his goons, attacked our station, including the female staff.���

Babush camp has a different version of the story. They charged the Goa police with storming the MLA���s residence late on Tuesday night and even ���abducting��� his young son, Amit, which prompted the backlash from Jennifer, also a political activist. As soon as she reached the police station, she was taken into custody.

The police have, all along, denied the charges. But interestingly, the move has already taken a political colour. Leader of the Opposition, Manohar Parrikar (BJP), who had earlier blamed Babush for ���taking law into his own hands���, on Wednesday did a sharp U-turn and came out in support of the jailed leader. Accusing the police of ill-treating the MLA, Mr Parrikar even demanded a judicial probe into the matter. ���The police have acted unconstitutionally. We condemn their action and demand judicial investigation to find the truth,��� said the former CM.

Ruling Congress, however, finds itself in a tight spot. The party is heading a fragile coalition government and Babush support is key to its survival. For the record, chief minister Digambar Kamat put up a brave face and quipped: ���No one can take law into their own hands.��� He, however, refused to comment when asked about the Congress��� stand on the issue.