The murderous assault on an Afghani student of Goa University by a group of local youth cannot be played down as a scuffle in the heat of an argument. Going by the sequence of events, a group of four youth initially helped the 24-year-old student Matiulla Ari after he fell from his bike. The group engaged him in a friendly conversation after helping him get on to his feet. What gave this incident a minacious twist is the ensuing violence that followed after the Afghani identity of the student came to light.
The attack is serious, and it has ‘hate crime’ written all over it. It’s disturbing to hear such cases in Goa, a State known for its peace and tranquillity the world over. Goa University, the hub of State’s higher studies, is a centre with a confluence of people from various States and nations spread across all religions and faiths. There are students from Afghan, Syria, Iraq and other middle-east countries studying in multiple sections, including research. The assault on the student will make other outstation students feel insecure.
While a relatively cordial and friendly atmosphere prevails within the confines of classrooms, it is the environment around the campus that has been a cause for concern. The university is highly porous since public roads are passing through the area. The vast open plateau, which has several entry and exit roads open to the public, is an open field for anti-social elements, especially under the cover of darkness.
Given this scenario, the Goa University campus has to be insulated and secured by isolating the public accesses. This is crucial because there are students involved in research, including females, at the campus sometimes well past midnight. They are always at risk while using these unguarded roads to commute home.
Nooks and corners in the vicinity, including areas near the Dr Shyama Prasad stadium, have been frequent trouble spots in the past. Nefarious activities, including groups indulging in drugs and alcohol, have been reported around the area on a regular basis. Police have been called in on numerous occasions to troubleshoot rowdy situations. A small police outpost nearby with a couple of constables on duty can’t do justice to this vast expanse of the plateau. There should be heightened patrolling at night to avoid untoward incidents and maintain the sanctity of the University premises.
Foreign nationals riding local bikes is not something to be alarmed of, it’s a common sight in Goa. Moreover, it’s the job of traffic police, not any roadside goons, to verify documents and other credentials when it comes to vehicles. Moral policing could be allowed in fair measure, but by no means can it be allowed to go out of hand.
This incident should be a wake-up call for the Vice-Chancellor and the government. Such brutal attacks will blot the image of the State. Ensuring the safety of outstation students is paramount. Necessary measures should be in place, and perpetrators of the attack should be dealt with firmly.
