Early on Monday, Goa Forward Party president and Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai took to Twitter and spoke about a shocking incident wherein a bullet ricocheted from the target at the Ona Maulinguem police firing range and hit and pierced the leg of Urmila Umesh Gaonkar on 27 January 2021. No FIR has been registered even after seven months. Several such cases of ricocheting in the village approximately 3 km away from the firing range had been reported and the victims were later bullied. “I will move the High Court if needed,” added Sardesai.
Speaking with Goa Chronicle, he said that Urmila, resident, Maulinguem Village, approached him and was apprised of the agony and trauma caused to her on account of a stray bullet that hit her and almost threatened her life. This bullet was fired during the firing practice session of the Goa Police department at Ona Maulinguem Range.
On 27 January, at around 10.30 am, Urmila was washing clothes in the backyard of her house when she felt a sharp pain in her right leg and realised that she was hit by some sharp object. Urmila was unaware that it was a bullet. She felt excruciating pain but managed to cry out for help. Her father-in-law, who was inside the house, rushed out. He brought her inside and called her husband. When Umesh Gaonkar came home, Urmila was in intense pain and he suspected that it was caused by a bullet and took her to the Bicholim Primary Health Centre.
Sardesai revealed the doctors were careless. Without referring Urmila for X-ray, they did some dressing and sent her home asking her to come for dressing for the next few days and prescribed some medicines. The Sarpanch wrote a letter to the Bicholim Police Station informing them of the incident and asked them to take ample precautionary measures during the firing practice session.
On 2 February, the Bicholim Police, comprising Police Inspector Mahesh Gadekar and other officers, visited Urmila’s residence and carried out a site inspection. She showed them the wound that had worsened by then. Gadekar assured her of providing compensation. When the wound did not show any sign of recovery, the Police officers accompanied Urmila to the Goa Medical College for further treatment where she was admitted on 3 February, and the doctor after taking an X-ray diagnosed that the bullet is lodged in her leg. The doctors treated her wound and removed the bullet. When this news was given to the Police, they suddenly disappeared and were not seen thereafter. She was discharged on 6 February and returned to her residence.
Afterwards, the Dy Superintendent of Police Sandesh Chodankar visited her residence and assured help and compensation. Also, the Police told her not to file any complaint and Urmila agreed. To date, no compensation or monetary help has been given.
The financial condition of Urmila’s family is weak and due to the above incident, they are facing extreme hardship. She was working on a daily wage in the village and now is unable to undertake any stressful labour that has further affected her earning. “This issue is not restricted to the incident of Urmila but also to other villagers who are living in constant fear of bullet hits any time, as the bullets fired from the firing range are whizzing above the village during firing sessions. This fact has been brought to notice of the Police on many occasions by the locals. However, no attention has been paid to address their fears. Over six months have passed and Urmila has received no compensation. This shows the negligence and indifference and inhuman attitude of the Police department”, said Goa Forward Party President. He added, “If such callousness continues, it is only a matter of time before the grave and irreparable injury is inflicted upon the villagers and people living in the vicinity. If precautionary measures are not put in place during the active firing practice session, a disaster awaits. An ultimatum is being given of seven days to the authorities to initiate an inquiry into the incident and necessary direction be issued to compensate Urmila, failing which we will seek relief and remedy in law by approaching the High Court.”