The Hindu : National : ‘Missing’ persons cases in Goa linked to serial killings?

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‘Missing’ persons cases in Goa linked to serial killings?

Prakash Kamat

PANAJI: As serial killer Mahananda Naik confessed he had murdered 16 persons, with victims spread over several years and four taluks of the State, the Goa police on Saturday announced that ‘missing’ cases would receive serious attention and reviewed every two months.

Goa Director-General of Police B.S. Bassi told The Hindu that he had instructed his officers to scan all ‘missing’ reports of the last few years to verify a possible Mahananda connection.

The decision came after 47-year-old Naik, from south Goa’s Shiroda village, owned up his 16th murder during the on-going police investigation.

The victims by and large are girls of marriageable age, coming from weaker sections of society, and listed as ‘missing’ as per police records. The “Mahananda victims” are allegedly strangled with their “dupattas.”

A goldsmith from Ponda taluk of Central Goa has been arrested for purchasing gold from Mahananda.

The serial killer began his crimes in 1994 and continued till 2009. He is presently in police custody after being arrested in a rape case in the last week of April and his confession led to the uncovering of the chain of murders.

As public ire builds over police inaction during the last several years over a series of ‘missing’ complaints in different parts of the State, Home Minister Ravi Naik has said a Special Public Prosecutor would be appointed to make the case foolproof. The DGP said it was premature to start administrative action against officers in the name of neglect of ‘missing’ cases.

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