Panaji (Goa) If not his arrest, the Goa police would have a much challenging task ahead as the alleged vandal had a full-fledged plan to desecrate the n of Holy Cross – most popularly known as Fulancho Khuris, located near the roadside at Bambolim.
South Goa Superintendent of Police Arvind Gawas said that the accused Francis Pereira has confessed about future desecration that included Fulancho Khuris.
“He has confessed that he planned to desecrate Fulancho Khuris and Abe Faria statue in Panjim,” he said.
The ex-convict has confessed of desecration as many as 150 religious structures located on the roadside since his release from the jail in 2003. As on his third day of interrogation, Pereira has taken the police team to 79 of the total vandalised places in the South Goa.
Gawas said the team will request the court to extend his custody as more revelations is likely. Moreover the police are also ascertaining get if the crimes were one-man show as claimed by accused himself, or there were many hands.
The entire police force had been on a chase since last over 15 days after after a spate for desecration of shrines created created a statewide debate. The accused’s handwriting scribbled on a piece of paper which was found near a desecrated cemetery; and the Omni car – driven by the accused – crossing every police picket after desecration incidents had raised suspicion on him. Director General of Police Muktesh Chander confirmed that picketing registers had his car number recorded a number of times helping the police zeroing in on the Curchorem local. Chander, Superintendents of police of North and south districts and Crime Branch, deputy Superintendents of police and police inspectors had been on the night vigil with its team members.
Meanwhile, the investigation team has found a whopping whopping Rs 22 lakh as fixed deposit in the name of Pereira. The accused who showed no remorse for his act had told the police that he would pay for the damages.
Team TNV