Gang fight erupted in Fatorda on Tuesday afternoon in a typical film style, once again raising serious questions over security of common citizens and the increasing use of guns by goons. Sheikh Anwar alias Tiger, a known history-sheeter came under heavy attack from five armed goondas. Three shots were fired at him, one of which pierced through his thigh as he was chased by men armed with iron rods and 'koitas' as fear and anxiety gripped the locality.
Gun crime has started to raise its head, and criminals are going for the kill. The dark underbelly of Goa, which once upon a time saw goondas brandishing swords and iron rods, has now got a makeover. Known for its peace and harmony, Goa is witnessing gun attacks, and murders executed with desi-made hand pistols sourced from States like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and even Delhi. The easy accessibility to home-grown guns and the cheap range on offer from thriving markets, coupled with a lack of check on these is a cause for serious concern for Goa.
If we recall the gruesome Swapnil Walke murder case of September 2020, the jeweller was shot from close range with a desi-made pistol. In another gang rivalry that flared up in Santa Cruz in June 2020, one person was shot dead. Back in October 2017, a resident was shot dead in a bar at Ravanfond, Margao.
The recent gun attacks have set a new precedent, with a clear message that goons no longer care for law-enforcement. The Arlem attackers were mindful of the fact that there would be police in the vicinity and yet they went about the job amid a busy Arlem traffic junction manned by traffic police and the Fatorda police station a few meters away. The Swapnil Walke murder was a planned one and was executed in broad daylight in one of the busiest areas of Margao which again is near the city police station.
Armed with guns, Goons have developed a new sense of confidence and are approaching their targets with ease. Tiger was a known history-sheeter and has multiple criminal cases registered against him -- from extortion to attempted murders. He had a lucky escape with the bullet piercing his thigh. Swapnil, on the other hand, a businessman and a renowned jeweller succumbed to a bullet which pierced his chest. Life was snatched away in a matter of minutes. Where does this gun culture leave ordinary citizens? What about their security?
Close on the heels of the Santa Cruz shootout, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant assured citizens that no one will be spared in the case. However, successive governments have failed to reign in on goons and history-sheeters like Tiger continue to roar, and many others enjoy political patronage. The crackdown has been by far patchy leaving many questions unanswered. Ironically, the government lacks the will and intent to reign in on anti-social elements.
