PERNEM: In a shocking incident, a petty fight with a group of shack workers led to the murder of 37-year-old Amar Bandekar from Arambol, while walking on the beach on Sunday evening.
According to the Mandrem Police, the incident occurred at around 6.30 pm when Amar during his regular evening walk tried to keep aside some chairs put up on the beach by a shack operator as he found them causing obstruction. This led to verbal arguments between Bandekar and a shack worker. The arguments soon culminated into fist fight where other workers joined in. During the fight, Bandekar fell on the ground unconscious. He was soon rushed to the Primary Health Centre at Tuem, Pernem, where the doctors on duty declared him dead.
On receiving the information, the Mandrem Police rushed to the health centre. They later went to the crime spot and immediately arrested one shack worker and further detained five others suspected to be involved in the fight.
Meanwhile, the family members and villagers threatened that they will not accept Amar’s body till his killers are arrested. A large number of villagers rushed to the beach and pointed out to the illegalities by the shack operator wherein he had placed deckbeds, beach umbrellas, chairs and other material right on the beach thereby blocking access of the visitors and demanded the cancellation of the beach shack licence.
North SP Akshat Kaushal who visited the Mandrem Police Station told media persons that one person has been arrested in this connection and if more persons are found involved in the gruesome murder, then they too will be arrested. He said that doctors’ opinions will be sought to know the nature of injury caused to the deceased.
PSI Kunal Naik is conducting investigations under the guidance of Mandrem PI Sherif Jacques.