The pre-dawn robbery in the upscale Ganeshpuri neighbourhood of Mapusa has shaken Goan society. The incident has not only sent shock waves across the State, but also cast a cloud of insecurity among people. A masked gang of 5-6 persons held a prominent doctor’s family hostage for nearly two hours and stole valuables reportedly valued at Rs 50 lakh.
The consequences of this incident extend beyond the immediate victims. It creates a frightening atmosphere for other residents—business owners, professionals, and wealthy families—who would now feel more vulnerable. Goa, often regarded as a tranquil retreat, is now facing the harsh reality that organized crime is eroding its peaceful image. This incident challenges the belief that affluence and living in a high-profile area guarantee safety. It doesn’t. In fact, it leaves those sections more vulnerable, because it is amply clear that thieves choose their targets based on strategies of reward.
A cursory review of the robbery shows that it was well planned. The thieves entered by cutting the grill of a side window and moved quietly inside without being noticed. Their decision to discard stolen mobile phones and abandon the family vehicle under the Mandovi bridge displays a smart strategy to avoid capture. However, here is where there was a weak link. A swift communication to the police on the car moving out could have helped track the vehicle, especially since it travelled around 12 kms before being abandoned under the Mandovi bridge in Panaji.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and police officials have responded by promising increased night patrols and enhanced security measures. Again, these are reactive measures, and would help very little since we don’t have enough force to man every nook and corner of Goa. We must realise that crimes like these often stem from larger issues, like inadequate surveillance systems, weak border controls, and insufficient community policing. CCTV surveillance has been a topic of discussion on many occasions in the past, but there has been very little headway. Defunct cameras continue to be the sorry story we hear every time the discussion veers around crime detection.
The unsolved robbery that happened in Dona Paula around six months ago highlights failures in the system, but lessons have not been learnt. The inability to catch criminals in such cases creates a feeling of impunity among offenders and stirs fear. This pattern suggests systemic issues, such as outdated forensic resources, blind spots in surveillance, and potentially out-of-state criminal networks operating without consequences. Swift arrests are not the solution; setting deterrents is. The Mapusa robbery can happen in any part of the State for the simple reason that Goa is not adequately prepared to tackle such crimes.
The robbery in Mapusa serves as another wake-up call for the authorities and the communities. It highlights the urgent need to revamp security measures, build community resilience, and tackle the root causes of organised crime. This can be achieved only through a combined effort, the use of technology, and active participation from the people. While completely eradicating crime may be challenging, its growth in a State known for its peace is a matter of grave concern and is unacceptable. The time has come to act decisively before fear takes the place of the tranquility that Goa has treasured for so long.
