Two arrested for going on rampage with gun in Shirgao, firing shots

Bicholim: Bicholim police on Saturday morning arrested two residents of Shirgao, Bicholim, for firing gunshots during an argument with a relative over a family dispute. The accused, Prajyot alias Shirish Laxman Gaonkar, and Girish Laxman Gaonkar, first phoned up the victim, Upendra Chandra Gaonkar, a senior citizen, abused, and threatened to kill him.

Later, the accused persons, both residents of Madhalawada, Shirgao, entered 66-year-old Upendra’s house at around 8.29pm on Friday. Later, when Upendra arrived near his residence, he was startled to find Prajyot waiting in the veranda.

Prajyot threatened to kill Upendra on the spot. The accused was armed with a firearm and ammunition, the complainant said. He deliberately aimed the gun directly at Upendra and fired a round, but the complainant managed to escape.

The accused followed him inside the house, and with a firearm in hand, allegedly terrorised Upendra’s family.

Prajyot raised the firearm towards the complainant’s wife and threatened to kill her. However, she too managed to escape and fled the house through the back door and ran to safety into another house.

Subsequently, Prajyot and Shirish also criminally trespassed into the nearby residence of the complainant’s cousin, Nagesh Gaonkar, while carrying the firearm, in search of her.

The police said the duo caused extreme fear and alarm to the occupants.

Bicholim police have registered offences of attempt to murder, criminal trespass, and aggravated criminal intimidation, among others. Both accused persons were arrested on Saturday morning.