The writer is a resident of Margao who strongly desires to bring about some socially relevant changes with his musings
Even as a bleeding and exhausted Swapnil sat on the steps of his shop, there did not seem to be many among the crowd of spectators who were very keen on rushing the critically injured man to some hospital for immediate medical attention
Mid-noon “ near the Sapna Plaza complex in the busy business locality behind Grace Church in Margao on Wednesday.The thronging neighbourhood in the heart of the city was the scene of an atrocious criminal act which claimed the life of a young city-based jeweller. In a cold blooded murder that sent shock waves across the state, Swapnil Walke was shot and stabbed to death in broad daylight at his jewellery shop.Presumably a story of a robbery gone awry, one’s heart goes out to the young man who valiantly resisted his armed assailants. Even though mortally wounded, his attempts to stop them from fleeing from the scene of the offense spoke volumes for his courage.
But all this was in vain as he succumbed to his injuries while being shifted by the police to the Hospicio Hospital where he was declared brought dead.The Walke murder case in Margao is just not about the gruesome killing of a young businessman in the heart of the commercial capital - and in broad daylight at that.It is the shameful narrative of bystanders who have been conspicuous by their unresponsiveness to an incident which was perceived by them to be nothing more than some sensational episode unfolding right in front of their eyes.For the passersby, the filming of the entire sequence of events in the vicinity of the jewellery shop where the chilling incident took place seemed to be more appealing than catching the suspects who made good their escape in full public view after orchestrating the crime.
If the video-clip of the macabre incident that went viral is anything to go by, the group of onlookers “ and there were many mind you “ made no visible efforts to go after the assailants.
The sight of a helmeted-person breaking free from the clutches of the victim and another bare-chested man with a knife in his hand streaking through the crowds and vanishing into thin air appeared to amuse them more.
Moreover, the insensitivity of the people gathered around near the scene of the crime can only be seen as a contributory factor to the death of the young businessman.
Even as a bleeding and exhausted Swapnil sat on the steps of his shop, there did not seem to be many among the crowd of spectators who were very keen on rushing the critically injured man to some hospital for immediate medical attention.
If only some of the onlookers had shown the presence of mind to get him immediate medical attention! Public apathy cost the young man his life.
Besides, the instance also draws one’s attention to the reluctance shown by private hospitals to render emergency life-saving treatment in medico-legal cases. Apprehending unnecessary and cumbersome legal entanglements, most of them prefer referring such cases to government hospitals.
The apex court’s orders on this matter notwithstanding, misgivings about countless visits to the police station and summons as witnesses in such cases by the courts have discouraged private hospitals from admitting medico-legal cases.
It was however the opportunity taken by politicians to engage in a mud-slinging match over this matter that needs to be condemned outright. No one has the right to make political capital out of such heart-rending situations.
It is always at such times that the ‘outsider’ rhetoric scales the highest decibel in the state. And along the way, politicians will invariably find themselves in the dock for their vote-bank ‘ministrations’ which has allowed a deluge of settlers from other states to make Goa their ‘place of stay’.
In normal times though, despite the doubtful antecedents of many of its dwellers, such ‘pockets’ hardly draw any attention leaving them to their inconsequential existence.
Nevertheless the speed with which the police were able to nab two of the culprits involved in the heinous crime speaks for the efficiency of a department which however continues to be flayed by the people for being responsible for the deteriorating law and order situation in the region.
That the Goa police were able to crack the case within 24 hours of commissioning of the crime is all the more commendable considering that this achievement comes at a time when the pandemic has thrown up myriad challenges for the department all of which have not necessarily been confined to the force’s routine work of maintaining law and order in the state.
The recent spate of crimes in Margao city no doubt paints a grim picture. Besides, the economic meltdown has added to the unemployment woes. However, for a department bogged down by the perennial shortage of personnel, enforcing heightened surveillance with sharp intra-police connectivity is easier said than done.
It is however observed that the social media continues to be that convenient platform from which members of the public have been mounting scathing attacks on the police, politicians and general administration quite too often.
The ghastly murder of the young jewellery shop owner at Margao also gave ample opportunities for social media tirades. But for once, all these paled when considered from the point of view of ‘public assistance’ that was just not forthcoming.
While the evident lack of a sensible reaction and cumulative response from the public present on ground zero to the happenings of that day is deplorable, it would not be wrong to state here that the ‘eventful’ video of that shocking incident which went viral and created enough ripples so as to satiate the curiosity factor of the several who viewed it, elicited ripostes which broadly dwelt to brickbats for the system at large.
The Margao jeweller and his brutal assaulters hardly featured in the deliberations! How unmoved and indifferent can one be to the plight of a fellow human being.
One is hence inclined to believe that humanity is now inhumane.
