Tourists attacked with swords, knives in Goa’s Anjuna; CM Sawant assures ‘harshest action’ against perpetrators

A group of tourists were attacked with swords and knives at a resort in Goa’s Anjuna area on Sunday.

The shocking incident that took place Spazio Leisure resort came to light after one of the family members, Jatin Sharma, shared the horrific details through his Instagram handle.

The images and videos which have been doing rounds on social media show the family members with severe injuries.

According to Sharma, the incident began after the family reported an altercation they had with the resort staff, to the hotel manager who then reprimanded the staff. The staff member then called some of his friends and attacked the family outside the hotel.

In the video, the group of miscreants can be seen attacking Sharma and his family members, while a woman cries for help. Sharma alleges that he and his family were attacked with weapons by Royston Dias, Nyron Dias and Kashinath Agarwadekar, outside the hotel in Anjuna.

The Anjuna police, after receiving the information, initially arrested the four accused in the case under IPC section 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means). The accused were later set free, as per reports.

Tagging Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the media in his social media post, Sharma states, ‘Attacked by local gundas, police lodged a case under Section 324 instead of 307. Police had arrested four attackers but later released them. Case was 307 but registered under 324. FIR does not disclose the names of culprits. Do not visit to @spazioleisureresort Anjuna Goa. No security was provided by the resort. Matter of 307 converted to 324 to help local gundas. Please help us get justice @narendramodi.’

Sharma alleged that initially the case was only registered under Section 324 (voluntarily causing hurt) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which allowed the accused to be promptly released.

Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant condemned the incident and has assured ‘harshest action against the perpetrators'.

‘Today’s violent incident in Anjuna is shocking and intolerable. I have directed the Police to take the harshest action against the perpetrators. Such anti-social elements are a threat to the peace and safety of the people in the State, and will be dealt with strictly,’ Sawant tweeted.

Sawant further ordered strict action and then IPC section 307 (attempt to murder) was added to the FIR after which the police arrested three accused persons, Royston Dias, Nyron Dias, Kashinath Agarwadekar, in the case.

‘As soon as it was brought to the notice of senior officers, Section 307 (attempt to murder) of the IPC has been added and 3 accused arrested. Departmental action initiated against delinquent police officers of Anjuna police station,’ said Nidhin Valsan, North Goa superintendent of police (SP), reacting to the tweet.