The cold-blooded murder of two senior citizens at the outhouse of their bungalow at Ambaji Fatorda once again highlights the fact that the law and order machinery has failed to keep tabs on migrants, many of whom with criminal background are taking Goa to be a haven. Crucial lessons haven't been learnt from the several murders and other crimes involving migrants throwing a cloud of uncertainty and insecurity of lives.
Three migrant labourers who were staying in the rented rooms were on the run soon after the news spread of the murder, riding a two-wheeler belonging to the contractor. The police may have swung into action and managed to nab the culprits in Mumbai, but the sequence of events leave behind a trail of fear because innocent lives are lost.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had thundered on the floor of the House in August 2019 that failure to undertake police verification of tenants in Goa will invite a fine. In February last year, the CM was categorical in stating that migrants contribute to 85 per cent of the crimes committed in the State. He was reacting to a double murder committed in February also involving migrants.
Despite the stark reality unfolding right before the eyes, the system continues to fail citizens. The pandemic provided a perfect window for the state administration to streamline systems because jobless migrants had left Goa in droves during the early phase. However, nothing changed and we continue to hear the same assurances of better policing.
Crimes have historically triggered instant reactions from district authorities with orders flying thick and fast clamping down on landlords and owners of business premises failing to verify bona fides of outstation occupants. Momentarily Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code is brought into force. However, the intensity and the drive behind these exercises die down in a matter of days. Making non-verification of tenants a punishable offence can be a step in the right direction, provided there is follow up action on compliance. It has to be a round-the-year exercise and not a periodic eye-wash.
There is a lack of political will to tackle the ‘rogue’ migrant because of vote-bank politics. A deterrent has never been set against committing such gruesome murders. According to a confession to the Mumbai Police, the accused have admitted to the crime and attributed it to non-payment of their wages. This is a planned murder, whatever the motive is. Migrants have committed murders and managed to flee the State giving the law enforcement machinery the slip.
Arrests have been made in the Fatorda case, and the law will take its course, but the lives of two senior citizens have been snatched away mercilessly. Dangerous precedents are set putting people in a state of helplessness and insecurity, especially the many senior citizens who live by themselves. The administration must tighten protocols and begin a sustained identification process of every migrant in Goa. Do not give false hopes.
