Gang fight at Siridao claims one

NT NETWORK
Posted on 2009-05-11
PANAJI - A sudden provocation saw differences simmering below the surface between two gangs spill into open warfare, leaving one dead and two seriously injured on Sunday evening at Siridao.
The incident saw Santosh Khalil of the Miranda D’Souza gang succumb to his stab injuries after being stabbed repeatedly allegedly by Zenito Cardoso.
Zenito is also one of the main accused in the brutal attack on activist lawyer, Mr Aires Rodrigues and historian and lecturer, Mr Prajal Sakardande and is currently out on bail.
Miranda D’Souza, alleged gang boss himself, and Johnny Fernandes another of his gang member are fighting for their lives with stab wounds at Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim. Zenito too has been injured but not so seriously.
The provocation was that the Miranda gang interfered with Zenito’s sister and her group who were having a picnic at the Siridao beach, informed police sources.
Sources say that she then called up Zenito, who came to the beach along with a few of his gang members. On their arrival they were immediately attacked by Miranda and his group and this led to a free for all.
The police had detained some ten odd people, mostly from the Zenito gang and are on the lookout for the owner of the restaurant where all the action started.
Two vehicles, one with bloodstains on the seats, which they suspect were involved in the fight have also been seized.
Police sources said that they are yet to recover the weapons used during the offence, and interrogations were on with police recording statements till late night.
The police termed this as a gang fight between Zenito and Miranda gangs which apparently have a long pending rivalry amongst them. Sources indicate that these could probably relate to turf, matka and hafta or protection with some political pull also involved, given the audacity that this goondagiri is going on.
Sources say that one of the persons detained on Sunday was also involved in an assault on Saturday near hotel Swim Sea.
Relatives and friends of Zenito outside the hospital say there was some political pressure behind the Miranda gang and sources indicate that the Zenito gang mastermind was the still absconding relative of the Santa Cruz MLA - Patel. He was said to have also been involved in the Aires assault case.