CIPRIANO DIED FROM THE POLICE ATROCITY SAYS COSME

PANJIM: Cosme Fernandes, who has now come out in support of his cousin Cipriano Fernandes and said that he had died in police custody due to police atrocity, had infact lodged a complaint against his cousin with Mapusa police just a fortnight back.

Acting on Cosme's complaint, Mapusa police arrested Cipriano on December 31, 2010 under section 151 CrPC (preventive arrest). In his complaint to the police he had said that Cipriano was harassing him and his family members and there is danger to their lives from him.

It was also alleged in the complaint that Cipriano due to previous enmity used to abuse, harass and threaten them.  The complaint was filed after Cipriano's high handed behaviour resulted in the death of Cosme's cousin Benhur D'Souza on December 29.

Cosme complained that on December 29, Cipriano had a drink with his other cousin Benhur D'Souza in his house and then suddenly picked up a quarrel. Later he came with a big knife and threatened to kill Benhur and kept on terrorizing him till 1.30 am. Benhur complained of chest pain at about 3am and had to be taken to Asilo hospital from where he was taken to Goa Medical College and hospital for treatment, where he died at 6 am. (TNN)