Suspected killers of late Fr Eusebio Ferrao 61 Parish
priest of St Francis Xavier Macasana Salcette Goa were
nabbed in outskirts of Nagpur in Maharashtra at dawn
today 21/03/2006. The killers may have arrived there
from Mumbai after they reached there on 18th March,
2006 and then intended to break journey at Nagpur and
proceed towards their onward destination to Allahabad
in Uttar Pradesh from where they hail.
The Goa Police who were accompanied by an acquaintence
of one of the suspects ( the alleged suspects are
believed to have relatives in the in the goods
transport business at Aquem Alto ) trailed the duo
successfully.
They were brought into Goa by air, INDIAN IC 597 at
around 1710 hrs according to sources at the Dabolim
airport who spoke to this writer and taken to Police
Headquarters for initial interrogation as the case
otherwise comes under the jurisdiction of the Maina
-Curtorim police under Police Inspector Mr Harish
Madkaikar.
The Goa Police won the kudos of all leaving the ex CM
Mr Parrikar to praise the police for their excellent
achievement when the Chief Minister Mr Pratapsing
Raoji Rane is reported to have made a statement on the
floor of the Goa Assembly The Archbishop had on 16th
March, 2006 castigated the Government of dereliction
of duties in maintaining law and order in the state
and protection of minorities following the spate of
incidents thefts and vandalisation.
The duo are being subjected to extensive questioning
at Headquarters and according to the first report
filtering from Headquarters indicate that job
prospects ( abroad ? ) was one of the motives.
Meanwhile there was a concelebrated High Mass at
Macazana today following which the local Sarpanch made
an announcement of the arrest. There was great relief
amongs the gathering after nearly 3 days of fear and
trauma for most of the villagers.
As a matter of fact the communal angle that was
initially suspect following the thefts in over seven
churches and chapels in Goa since later part of last
year, the vandalisation of crosses in Ponda Aldona and
lately on Holi day 15 March 2006 at Comba in Margao
and the communal riots on 3rd March,2006 over an
illegal structure intended for a "madrassa" at
Gudemol Sanvordem had led the rumour mill trade
charges and counter charges against the right wing
Hindu fundamentalist party in Goa of fomenting
communal tensions and polarising the society.
But what needs to be probed is the reasons for the
"intimacy" that the priest had for "non Goans" and
"male youngsters" given the fact that Goans did not
find favour of employment in the parish house either
for sacristerial functions or domestic chores.
The three cooks were outsiders (Southerners ) and
the two youth "friends" (Northeners) viz; outsiders
non goans.
There were other rumours that were doing the rounds
that the duo suspects could have been involved in
thefts of idols in the State. It is also to be
established whether the alleged killers developed an
accquaintance with the priest while at his last
posting at St Lawrence Church in Agacaim or while at
his present posting as atleast one of them was seen in
the parish often according to a villager.
The question that remains unanswered also is why did
the priest extend dinner courtesy even during Lenten
season moreover 17th March, 2006 was a Friday " Way of
the Cross". The indulgence in alcohol by the alleged
assailants in the parochial house was not in the
fitness of things especially during Lenten season and
a stigma on the conduct of the religious faithful.
Meanwhile a large gathering attended the religious
rite at Macazana this morning followed by a mammoth
gathering at the Mass held at Our Lady of Hope
Chinchinim and subsequent burial . The Main
celebrant was His Grace Archbishop of Goa and Daman
Filipe Neri Ferrao.
Most politicians and others were present.
FROM THE PANAJI POLICE HEADQUARTERS END
GODFREY J I GONSALVES
BORDA MARGAO GOA
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
9822158584
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