Tourists from Maharashtra assaulted, 3 arrested

In a shocking incident, tourists from Maharashtra were brutally assaulted with deadly weapons on Wednesday by a group of locals at Merces, a short distance away from the capital city of Panaji. The tussle was a result of a petty issue of one elderly man's hand brushing one of the locals when the tourists were having breakfast at a local restaurant.

The tourists were followed by the accused while in the bus, and were assaulted with knives and koitas (chopper).

"I was at home when I heard the ruckus and rushed out. There were three men with knives approaching the tourists and attacking them. I immediately called the police," a local told reporters.

The police have identified three accused and have arrested Vishal Golatkar, Suraj Shetye and Lawrence Dias, who are known history sheeters in the area.

"I have told police to crack down on such elements. I don't want such gangs in my constituency," local MLA Tony Fernandes said.