A street altercation over parking at Risaldar Galli, Belagavi, turned violent last Saturday, resulting in an assault on Mandar Manjrekar, a resident of Pundalik Nagar, Porvorim, Goa. Manjrekar has filed a formal complaint at Khade Bazar Police Station regarding the incident, which involved injuries and alleged intimidation based on his Goa-registered vehicle. Source: @InGoa24x7
According to Manjrekar, he returned to his residence around 3:15 p.m. after taking his senior citizen mother to the army institute. Upon arrival, he found three two-wheelers blocking his gate. With the help of two bystanders, he moved the vehicles to create access.
As he parked his car, a woman—whose scooter had been moved—reportedly tried to block his way while her husband shouted, “This road is ours. Who are you?” Both then began abusing Manjrekar in Marathi and English, allegedly stating, “This guy is from Goa. Let us teach him a lesson.”
After parking, Manjrekar faced further verbal abuse. The woman’s husband accused him of trying to hit his wife, and then allegedly assaulted Manjrekar. Due to the mossy, slippery floor, Manjrekar says he fell, sustaining a head injury—mostly to the sensitive temple area on the left side. He began to feel dizzy and nauseous as both husband and wife continued to intimidate him.
Neighbors, including the nearby canteen owner and bank staff, intervened and prevented further harm. Manjrekar reports that even after the incident, the accused continued hurling abuses and photographing his vehicle, using his Goa registration as an apparent reason for hostility.
“It is an irony,” said Manjrekar, who stated he has always tried to defuse such inter-state tensions both in Goa and elsewhere. “Instead of something good, I have been given a dose of the medicine which I have been trying to save people from.”
He expressed his dismay over the targeting of those with non-local vehicle registrations in Belagavi, urging the police to act strictly given that CCTV footage of the incident exists. “I request the police to whom I’ve already given my statement, take strict action and that these hooligans are arrested. They should be put behind bars as soon as possible because the same can repeat with others also,” Manjrekar stated.
He further appealed to the residents of Goa as well to avoid such actions against outstation vehicles and called upon the administration and police to ensure safety for everyone.