Data on history-sheeters in Goa makes interesting reading. Believe it or not, information reveals that Goa has over 200 registered criminals, with coastal Calangute topping the list with 20, followed by Margao at 19 and Old Goa at 18. Panaji and Ponda have 15 history-sheeters each.
While the numbers expose the dark underbelly of Goa’s crime scene and also highlight the role of the police in booking criminals, the data cuts out a sorry picture when it comes to police wresting control over criminals and anti-social elements. Police may have kept files open despite criminals lying low for nearly two decades, but that’s not enough in a fast-changing modus operandi.
Another interesting aspect is that criminals get into businesses like real estate, beach shacks and even scrapyards to put up a curtain of respectability before them while they continue their criminal activities in the background. Many of the history-sheeters have become security providers to the elite and their businesses, giving them an extra sense of safety.
Multiple FIRs only suggest that the ‘reform’ front and the sword of externment have failed. Those facing externment proceedings have had an easy way out. Data reveals that 33 cases of externment have been dropped in South Goa, and around 25 individuals are currently facing proceedings. In 2020, police had sought the externment of 102 individuals (90 from North Goa) on various charges and had written to both collectors. None of these have materialised. In November 2022, history-sheeter Zenito Cardozo, involved in over a dozen crimes, including the 2020 St Cruz shooting case, won an appeal against externment proceedings with the North Goa Collector over “good behaviour”.
The label of history-sheeter may taint the personal records of individuals, but beyond that, hardened criminals appear to not bother about being tagged as a criminal. The many repeat offenders and multiple cases registered against history sheeters clearly indicate that there are no strong deterrents set in in this regard.
The police are taking comfort in the count of history sheeters booked, but that alone cannot be seen as a fair barometer of police success because criminals continue to have a field day and commit crimes at every opportunity.
While the narrative has changed with gang wars fading out, extortion and seeking protection money with the tacit support of the system has become a new norm. Other crimes like kidnapping, dacoity, disturbing peace and trespass have taken the back seat.
It is evident that criminals are here to stay, and the increasing numbers speak of their presence. The bigger worry, however, is that they have grown more prominent in stature and have only expanded their scope of ‘business’.
It’s time police relook seriously at history sheeters and set strong deterrents instead of overtly relying on externments that have proved to be an exercise in futility. Lastly, the police force needs to introspect if they have the confidence to show ruthlessness against notorious criminals.
