The horrific daylight murder of a young city-based jeweller Swapnil Walke has sent shock waves across the State, more so because people stood as mute bystanders and watched the heinous crime unfold. Both culprits were allowed a free run for over 200 metres before they could disappear into the wilderness, while a bleeding victim was left alone to fend for his life. The videos that surfaced tell a very tragic story that strikes the very heart of the much-acclaimed Goenkarponn.
The motive of the murder is under police investigation; however, it has thrown up intriguing questions: Did the assailants flee with a gold booty from the jewellery shop? If robbery was the motive, why did the assailants choose a busy area in the heart of the city, one which was close to other establishments and the police station? Despite being badly wounded, why did the victim not raise an alarm but went on to confront the culprits?
In the background, the discourse is over deteriorating law and order situation. We are amid an unprecedented pandemic, and the financial pain is showing. Jobs have been lost, and businesses shut. The State is bound to face increasing murders, robberies and loot given the cash crunch, and the government machinery should have been up for the challenge.
The recent spate of crimes paints a grim picture. If we may recall, a few days back a man robbed a two-wheeler from a salesman at knifepoint right in the commercial capital. Last month, an older woman was assaulted and robbed by an assailant after giving her a lift in a four-wheeler on the pretext of dropping her home at Shantinagar in Aquem-Baixo. She was robbed of her gold chain and bangle before being pushed out of a moving car. The situation has turned so grim that even gas under-laying plastic pipes worth Rs 7.5 lakh near MES College area in Zuarinagar have been stolen. There have been vehicle thefts, and burglaries involving petty cash with even ATMs being robbed. The infamous station road at Margao is bubbling with anti-social activities like gold-chain and mobile snatching, besides stabbings.
Incidentally, the Margao murder happened only a day after District Police Chief, SP Pankaj Kumar Singh, promised to tackle law and order problems with a heavy hand while reviewing the situation at Margao Station Road and other trouble spots. The police leadership cannot give false hope.
The police forces don't have the wherewithal to handle the situation. The need of the hour is to enforce heightened surveillance with sharp intra-police connectivity. Law-enforcing agencies will have to show zero tolerance to crime and criminals, and there has to be a planned strike on all anti-social elements across the State. The confidence in the police has hit a low.
Law-enforcing agencies will have to show zero tolerance to crime and criminals, and there has to be a planned strike on all anti-social elements across the State. The confidence in the police has hit a low
