Goa minister injured as mob hurls stones

Panaji, February 19

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Goa minister Subhash Phal Desai on Monday said he was injured when a mob attacked him with stones after he unveiled a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at a village in South Goa.

Statue opposed

A mob opposing the installation of the statue pelted stones after I had a brief discussion with them in the village. Subhash Phal Desai, Goa minister

There was a heavy police presence at Sao Jose De Areal village near Margao town on Sunday after some people installed a statue of the Maratha king, while another group took objection.

Monday marked the 394th birth anniversary of the Maratha emperor, and events were held across the state to celebrate the occasion.

The stone pelting occurred in the afternoon when the minister was getting into his car after unveiling the statue. The state social welfare minister said, “A mob opposing the installation of the statue pelted stones after I had a brief discussion with them in the village.” Phal Desai said he was trying to handle the situation peacefully when the mob turned violent.

He claimed that stones were pelted at him when he was getting into his car, and he sustained a minor injury in the attack. The BJP minister clarified that he would not file a police complaint to ensure communal harmony was maintained. The statue was installed at a private property donated by a Muslim resident, he said.