Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Benaulim's blogger Maxie Rodrigues assulted, hospitalized

Benaulim village resident and blogger Maxie Rodrigues was today assaulted by two people at 11.30 am in his village of Benaulim at a spot called 'Voltar'. He was hit on his face and left on the road by two people from Benaulim itself that are involved in encroaching the public water pathway - 'nalhas'.

Maxie is involved in maintaining Benaulim Villagers Action Committee (BVAC) blog www.bvacbenaulim.blogspot.com that depicts problems faced by Benaulim village due to real estate invasion.

He then in an injured state with blood oozing out of his nose went to the Colva Police Station to lodge a complaint. PI Edwid Colaco then sent his for medical examination. At E-ray test conducted it was confirmed that he has suffered from fracture of the nose bone.

Colva Police returned to meet Maxie Rodrigues at 2.15 today and his statement is recorded in order to register the case and proceed ahead on investigations.

When contacted Maxies at Hospicio Margao he said that two people - David Fernandes and his brother Raymond Fernandes from Benaulim itself are his attackers. Their Father Satan Fernandes was present at the site and was hurling abuses at him (Maxie Rodrigues).

The reason for attack according to the injured Maxie is that yesterday he had photographed illegally encroached nallah by the attacker's family. "Today they have taken revenge against me with this assault" is what Maxie told when he was contacted in Hospicio still taking treatment at 3.20 pm today.

What has happened is indeed very sad and repentable as with the influence of Political godfather fellow villager taking pictures of the illegality is being targetted with assault.

Sebastian Rodrigues