Goa police hunt for suspects who fired at casino director

The Goa Police have launched a search to trace two unidentified men who allegedly opened fire at the director of a casino group outside his hotel in Porvorim, a senior officer said on Saturday.

The director escaped unhurt while his security personnel returned fire, police said, adding that the shooting occurred on Friday night outside a five-star property, located near the local police station.

The incident has prompted the opposition Congress to allege that law and order has collapsed in the BJP-ruled State.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Saturday said that those involved in the incident will not be spared.

Superintendent of Police (North Goa) Harishchandra Madkaikar said that two men fired three rounds at Srinivas Nayak, director of Majestic Pride Hotels and Resorts at Porvorim, around 8.45 pm.

Nayak, who was sitting in his car along with his bodyguards, escaped unhurt, he said.

The CCTV footage from the location, which was made public, showed two men waiting near the hotel gate before firing three rounds at Nayak’s car. Nayak escaped unhurt while his security personnel returned fire, forcing the assailants to flee.

A manhunt has been launched to apprehend the duo, Madkaikar added. When contacted, Nayak said that he was unhurt and safe.

The Congress, meanwhile, claimed the incident reflected the collapse of the law and order situation in the State.

“A firing incident reportedly took place just metres away from the Porvorim police station. If criminals can allegedly open fire in the vicinity of a police station, how safe is the common Goan?” Goa Congress chief Girish Chodankar said in a social media post.

“Today, even those seen as close to the BJP establishment are not safe. What does this say about the state of law and order under the BJP Government?” he asked.

CM Sawant said this is the first such incident during his tenure as the chief minister.

“Police are conducting an extensive investigation. Those involved in the incident will be arrested at the earliest. No one will be spared,” he told reporters, adding that the reasons behind the attack are also being investigated.