Flare-up over taxi fare: Cabbie attacked by fellow operators, lands in GMC

With the cabbies still at loggerheads with the government over a host of issues, a bizarre incident was reported in the State’s capital city, wherein a taxi operator from Verem was allegedly attacked by fellow operators from Chimbel following an argument on ‘taxi fare’ issue at Azad Maidan.

According to Panjim Police, a group from Chimbel and another from Verem, who are in taxi business and operating ‘independently’ through a ‘queue system’ outside the offices of offshore casinos along the D B Marg have been involved in a disagreement over ‘taxi fare’ charged from casino visitors for quite some time.

On Friday afternoon, both the groups agreed to meet at Azad Maidan to discuss the matter and come out with a solution. However, during the meeting there was a heated argument over the issue and the accused persons Yakub Wallikar, Imran Gaus and his brother Irfan alias Amam Gaus, all residents of Chimbel allegedly attacked Roshni Kawas and her brother Sohail Kawas, both residents of Verem.

Sohail Kawas, who sustained serious injuries in the alleged knife attack, was immediately shifted to Goa Medical College and Hospital at Bambolim.

The police informed that based on the complaint filed by Roshni, an FIR was registered against all the three accused persons, who were arrested on Friday under Sections 323 and 326 read with 34 of the Indian Penal Code.

The accused persons later filed a counter complaint, and acting on their complaint, the police registered an FIR under Sections 326 and 506 (2) read with 34 of the Indian Penal Code against Roshni and Sohail.

The police informed that Roshni has been placed under arrest while Sohail will be arrested following his discharge from the hospital.

Meanwhile, Yakub, Imran and Irfan were produced before the Judicial Magistrate of First Class (JMFC), Panjim and were granted conditional bail.

The Panjim Police said that though the trio was granted conditional bail, the accused are yet to fulfil the bail conditions

The Panjim Police said that they are investigating the case thoroughly and have launched an inquiry to ascertain whether the taxi operations outside the casino offices were legal or illegal.

The police said that after the inquiry if the cabbies are found to be operating illegally then they would write to the Transport Department and the North Goa Collector seeking action against them.