Goa Police Team Faces Mob Violence in Madhya Pradesh During Theft Investigation
A team of Goa police officers, deployed in Madhya Pradesh to investigate multiple high-value housebreaking thefts, was violently attacked by a mob in the Bori police station area of Alirajpur district on Thursday evening. The incident unfolded as the team was transporting a detained suspect, believed to be the primary accused, back to the police station from Bahadiya village.
Background of the Theft Cases Under Investigation
The Goa police had traveled to Madhya Pradesh to probe two significant theft cases reported in their jurisdiction. The first case involved a theft of Rs 6 lakh in cash and gold ornaments under the Porvorim police station. The second was a major heist where gold worth approximately Rs 35 lakh was stolen from a residence under the Mapusa police station.
Utilizing advanced intelligence gathering and digital tracking methods, the police identified several suspects residing in Bahadiya village, which falls under the Bori police station limits in Alirajpur district. With the cooperation and assistance of local police personnel, the Goa police team successfully arrested one of the accused from his home on Thursday.
Details of the Mob Attack and Police Response
As the Goa police team was returning to the station in a private vehicle with the suspect in custody, they were allegedly intercepted by a group of locals and relatives of the accused. The mob reportedly began pelting stones and attacking the vehicle in a brazen attempt to free the detained suspect.
"The windshield of the Goa police's car was shattered in the attack. One police personnel sustained a minor leg injury, though no one required hospitalisation," stated SP Raghuvansh Kumar Singh in an interview with TOI. He emphasized that the situation was quickly brought under control because a vehicle from the Bori police station was following closely behind the Goa team. Upon seeing the arrival of local police reinforcements, the attackers fled the scene.
The suspect was safely transported to the Bori police station, where Goa police are now completing the necessary legal formalities to obtain a transit remand. This will allow them to take the accused into custody for further interrogation in Goa regarding the theft cases.
Legal Actions and Ongoing Investigation
In response to the assault, a formal complaint has been lodged by an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) of the Bori police station, who was present during the search operation. "We have registered a case against the attackers and a search operation has been launched to identify and arrest those involved in the assault on the police team," added SP Singh.
The incident highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies when operating in unfamiliar territories and underscores the importance of inter-state police cooperation. Authorities are actively pursuing the assailants to ensure they face legal consequences for obstructing police duties and endangering officers.
