Replace investigating officer in Bastora case, police delaying probe: Ferreira

Panaji: Aldona MLA Adv Carlos Alvares Ferreira has demanded that the investigation officer in the Bastora assault case must be replaced. He also accused the police of slowing down the investigation as the main accused Tulshidas Shetye from Moira, who is absconding, is a BJP officer bearer and an important member of the party’s Aldona mandal.“Has BJP become a den of criminals? They often speak about Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, but now one of their karyakartas has assaulted a pregnant woman. We had demanded with the DySP that the investigating officer in the case PSI Bablo Parab should be replaced as I believe he is wasting time and slowing down the investigation and leaking information. We demand with the SP to get the call data records of Bablo Parab to know whose phone calls he received after the incident occurred and the case was filed. We believe he is also related to the main accused who is absconding. This has to be verified,” Ferreira said. The MLA said that only after he raised his voice that 3 persons were arrested.“We want to know who is the godfather of these accused. When police don’t do a proper investigation then people lose faith in them and law and order collapses. The crime was pre-planned. It seems power has hit the head of the main accused Tulsidas. Why is BJP silent on this issue? Why are the police delaying the investigation? Are they trying to tone it down? I have every apprehension that will try to distort the investigation. I also believe that there are 2 policemen involved in the case,” he said.Ferreira also blamed the government for the deteriorating law and order.“Police know the antecedents of such individuals. There are unemployed youth who get into such activities as they are frustrated. I blame the government for failing the people and the youth,” he said.Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president Amit Patkar said that women are not safe anymore in the state.“BJP should change their name to Bhartiya Goonda Party. Ever since the BJP assumed power in the state, crime rate has increased, crimes against women have increased, including rapes, murders. What action will the BJP take against its party member who is involved in this crime? Women are not safe anymore. Is this the kind of Goa we dreamt of? Just because there is some issue over a parking space, you will attack a woman?” he said.