Furious Israeli drug peddler Atala attacks Goan journalist

Furious drug accused Atala attacks Goan journalist

Panaji: In a brazen and audacious act, the undertrial Israeli drug peddler Atala made an attempt to attack a photojournalist working for  a local daily near national theater in Panjim while he was being taken to a phone booth escorted by  three constables. The latest attempt on a photojournalist by an alleged drugs dealer shows the audacity of foreigners who turn abusive with little or no provocation despite being under arrest for their alleged crimes.

Yaniv Benahim alias Atala, an  undertrial Israeli national who is accused of drug dealings in goa in connivance with police officials, tried to attack the photojournalist working for a local vernacular and hurled abusive words at him near Panjim’s National Theatre on Saturday morning. The incident took place when the journalist tried to click him while Atala was speaking on phone at private booth. Atala was brought out from the lock-up apparently for a medical examination at the Urban health centre in Panaji from police headquarters lock-up. However, how the drug accused was given access to a private phone was a mystery. When goa 365 tried to find out what Atala was doing at the private phone booth, the Goa Police PRO Atmaram Deshpande refused to comment.

The accused was ostensibly brought out from the police lock-up for a medical check-up at the Urban health centre in Panaji escorted by three constables. On way back, and apparently with police consent, Atala went to a nearest phone booth and called someone. While the photojournalist noticed the accused, Atala, talking on the phone,  he tried to capture him on his camera. However Atala became furious and tried to attack him and bad-mouthed the photojournalist. However, police escorting him were quick in restraining Atala..
 
Atala was arrested on the 9th of March by the Pernem police for his alleged links with some policemen in illegal drug business and was subsequently handed over to the Crime Branch. Atala was booked under the NDPS Act and is in the police custody. It was shocking to see the Police allowing Atala access to a private phone. Call it a negligence of the police or lack of seriousness but the undertrial could have fled from police custody. The incident has also raised questions over the seriousness of the Police in handling criminals.

Meanwhile, Goa Union of Journalists condemned the act of the accused on the newsmen and demanded punishment for the attacker.