Belagavi: In an unsettling incident that has raised serious concerns about the state of law and order, former Goa MLA Lavoo Mamaledar, aged 69, was fatally attacked by an autorickshaw driver over a trivial matter in Belagavi on Saturday. The attack unfolded in front of Srinivas Lodge, a popular locality in the city, and has ignited widespread outrage, highlighting the deteriorating safety situation in the region.
Mamaledar, who had served as the MLA for Ponda constituency in Goa, had arrived in Belagavi from Goa, and was making his way to the lodge when the incident occurred. According to eye witnesses and CCTV footage from the lodge, Mamaledar’s car was inadvertently touched by an auto rickshaw driven by Mujahid Shakil Sanadi while he was traveling through Khadebazar in Belagavi.
What seemed like a minor traffic incident soon spiraled into an aggressive confrontation when the auto driver, seemingly upset over the situation, followed Mamledar to the lodge. The argument between the two men quickly escalated, and in a shocking turn of events, the auto driver physically attacked the elderly former MLA in the public view of bystanders.
Locals and staff from the lodge intervened to break up the fight, but the situation had already turned fatal. Despite being attacked, Mamledar managed to climb the stairs of the lodge, but before reaching his room, he collapsed near the lift. He was immediately rushed to Belagavi Institute of Medical Sciences (BIMS) Hospital, where doctors confirmed that he had passed away due to the severity of the attack.
The entire sequence of events was captured on the lodge’s CCTV cameras, which have now become a crucial piece of evidence in the ongoing investigation. The police, acting swiftly, have taken the accused auto driver Sanadi into custody, and an inquiry is underway. The police are interrogating driver and have collected the footage for further analysis.
As the investigation continues and the autopsy report is awaited, the family of Mamaledar and the public demand justice. They also call for stricter measures to prevent such violent attacks from taking place again, stressing that more decisive steps are needed to restore peace and order in the region.
Eye witness told Organiser that tragic incident occurred today when former Goa MLA Lavoo Mamledar was attacked by an auto driver . The altercation began when the auto driver, identified as Shakil Sanadi had a dispute with Lavoo Mamledar outside a lodge. The situation quickly escalated, and the driver physically attacked the former MLA. A group of people gathered around and intervened to break up the fight.
Following the altercation, Mamledar, visibly shaken, attempted to climb the stairs to enter the lodge but collapsed near the lift. Sources have confirmed that he passed away shortly after collapsing, despite efforts to revive him.
The police from the Belagavi Market station rushed to the scene and immediately transported Mamledar to the district hospital. Unfortunately, he was declared dead upon arrival. Authorities have arrested the accused auto driver and are conducting further investigations into the incident.
Lavoo Mamledar was a prominent Congress member who first entered the Goa Legislative Assembly in 2012 as a member of the Maharashtra Gomantak Party. He later joined the Trinamool Congress and subsequently switched to the Congress in 2022. His sudden and tragic death has shocked both his supporters and the wider community.
MLA Abhay Patil criticised government and police
BJP MLA Abhay Patil has strongly condemned the brutal attack and subsequent death of former Goa MLA Lavoo Mamaledar, slamming both the state government and the local police for their failure to maintain law and order in the region. Speaking to the media, Patil expressed his deep concern about the growing lawlessness in Belagavi highlighting the prevalence of illegal activities such as matka rackets, as well as the shocking rise in violent crimes.
“What is happening in Belagavi? The situation has reached a dangerous point. Matka rackets are operating freely, and now we have seen a former MLA being brutally attacked and murdered in cold blood,” Patil stated, his voice filled with frustration and anger. “This is not just an attack on an individual, but on the very fabric of our society. If this is allowed to continue, it will send a dangerous message to the people of the state.”
Patil went on to point out that the perpetrators of such violence were often from outside the local community, further fueling tensions. “People from other communities are coming here and committing heinous acts. Former MLAs are not safe, and this must be stopped immediately. The situation is getting out of control, and if the government does not act decisively, we will face even more dire consequences,” he warned.
The BJP legislator called for swift and severe action against those responsible for Mamaledar’s death, demanding that justice be served. “The guilty must be brought to book. The government and police need to show that they are serious about upholding the law. If they continue to remain silent, no one will want to come to Belgaum tomorrow. The image of this city is being tarnished by the inaction of the authorities.”
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