“Chained and Brutalized: Margao Police Station Assault Leaves Youth Fighting for Life”

Margao:A shocking incident of alleged custodial assault has sparked widespread outrage in Goa. Edberg Pereira, youth from Navelim, was allegedly beaten with a weapon while chained inside the Margao police station, resulting in severe head injuries. His mother claims that she heard a loud sound and rushed to find her son lying in a pool of blood.

Edberg underwent major brain surgery at Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC) in Bambolim, but doctors have warned of a high risk of paralysis on the left side of his body due to severe bleeding in the brain. The incident has triggered demands for a full-scale independent probe into the alleged custodial assault.

Social activist Pratima Coutinho has condemned the alleged assault, questioning the police’s right to use violence. “Even if Edberg was under the influence of alcohol or behaved aggressively, no police officer has the right to take the law into their own hands,” she said. Coutinho has demanded that the police release CCTV footage to uncover the truth and identify the perpetrator ¹.

The police sub-inspector involved in the incident, has been suspended pending a departmental inquiry. However, Edberg’s family and activists are calling for more stringent action, seeking justice for the alleged brutality ².