'Attack was political, not personal'

'Attack was political, not personal'
Preetu Nair , TNN
PANAJI: "The attack on me is politically motivated and an attempt to scare me," alleged Reis Magos panch member Francisco Serrao, who was
attacked by three masked men on the morning of February 5.

The three-time elected panch member who works as a peon at St Teresa school in Candolim, and was attacked while on his way to work, told TOI, "The opposition members want to be in power in the panchayat at the moment as two casinos and two mega projects are coming up in the panchayat area and there is loads of money to be made. They wanted me to support them, but because I refused I was attacked."

Speaking candidly, Serrao said that till three months ago he belonged to the group that's presently in the opposition. Led by the former panch's husband Francis Colaco, the group enjoys the support of Calangute legislator Agnelo Fernandes, he explained. "I left when the group lost majority. I have no confidence in Colaco's judgment. Moreover, it is important to be in the ruling side in order to ensure that your work gets done. Your supporters or people are not bothered about whom you support, they only want to ensure that their work is done."

Alleging that his political opponents contacted him 15 days before the incident, asking him to switch sides, he said, "They had convinced one member from the ruling side to join them earlier thus taking their total to five. I was contacted and asked to support as they would then gain a majority. But I declined and the attack on my life appears to be an attempt to scare me," alleged Serrao.

The present panchayat has 11 members, seven on the ruling side, four in the opposition.

Recalling his attack, he said, "Three men came out. They had covered their faces with masks and started attacking me with iron rods. The attackers didn't utter a word and the attack on me lasted less than five minutes. They escaped because a person in the neighbourhood who heard my screams came out."

While he suspects that the Calangute legislator was part of the attack he's quick to say, "The attack on me is political and there is nothing personal about it. Agnelo even came to meet me and told me that he had come to meet me as I was injured."

For his part, Agnelo Fernandes denied any hand in the attack and also emphasized that the opposition group led by Colaco was also not involved. "I even went and meet him in the hospital. I am even willing to go for brain mapping but my critics should also come for brain mapping. Then the truth will be out," he Agnelo.

Meanwhile, on February 6, Serrao submitted a letter to the Calangute PI claiming that some sections have been omitted in the FIR to "protect the local MLA".

"Section 120 (b) is intentionally omitted in the present case to protect the local MLA Agnelo Fernandes, as the entire attack on my life was at a instant and the conspiracy (sic) of the local MLA. As the motive behind the attack is only connected and benefiting the said MLA. According to me you have missed out in charging the said accused under section 120 (b), 511, 307 and other such sections of the Indian Penal Code," Serrao alleged in the letter. The police have registered an offence under section 341, 326 read with 34 of IPC.

However, the police have refused to register it as a case of attempt to murder, till they have evidence. SP (north) Bosco George told TOI, "We are trying to gather evidence and check out who is involved in the assault. Initial investigations reveal that the attack was an attempt to create fear and not to kill as there were no dangerous weapons used nor any attack on his vital organs." In his police complaint, Serrao said that he "strongly suspected" that he was attacked by Colaco, Agnelo and one Pitush.

10 Feb 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition