Canacona: A sudden provocation during a zatra at Mashem on Wednesday led to the killing of 37-year-old Sanjay Naik inside a chicken centre at the festival site.Police arrested Eduardo Manuel, 58, soon after the incident for allegedly murdering Naik with an iron rod, Canacona SDPO DSP Nilesh Rane said.According to Manuel, the attack took place while the zatra was underway near a chicken centre in the vicinity of Shree Nirakar Devasthan. Monteiro confronted Naik and asked him to stop butchering chicken to maintain the sanctity of the day, which sparked an argument.In the heat of the moment, Manuel allegedly went to his home — located next to the chicken centre — returned with an iron rod, and assaulted Naik, killing him on the spot.Addressing claims by locals that police had not acted on earlier complaints against Manuel, Rane said some non-cognisable offences had been registered against him in 2025, including a chapter case in which Manuel was directed to furnish a personal bond before the SDM, Canacona.South Goa SP Akshat Ayush said Manuel and Naik were not on good terms. Ayush added that police have sufficient evidence, including CCTV footage, and that the iron rod — allegedly thrown aside — will be searched for and seized.
