The brutal assault on a 35-year-old Curtorim resident a few metres away from the Old Market traffic circle has once again exposed the insecurities common citizens live with as goondaism, and anti-social elements vent their fury out in the open. Savage attacks such as these create an environment of fear and speak very poorly of the safety of people.
The horrific Sunday night attack began at a multi-cuisine restaurant and bar at the Colva beach and ended at the Old Market, where the victim was chased down by 8-9 youth on bikes. What followed was a barbaric attack by six assailants torturing the victim using body blows, kicks and laterite stone and then stripping him stark naked. While the terrifying attack was happening, another gang member was filming it from his cell phone. Also, while the victim was in pain and seeking police intervention, the police were disputing jurisdiction between Colva and Fatorda.
The incident only shows that the police have failed to rein in history sheeters and trouble-makers. Firstly, an attack of this nature, having been shot and circulated widely on social media, only shows that the accused have no fear of the law. Secondly, the reluctance with which the police have intervened and acted raises suspicion over their confidence. As of Tuesday, police managed to arrest only three of the six accused.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and the police heads have been talking about a crackdown and strict action against anti-social elements, but an apparent lack of intent is showing. There is a strange connection between 'zero tolerance' and issues where the system has failed. We have heard of zero tolerance against drugs, drunken driving, crimes against children and women, corruption and anti-social elements. However, on the ground, the failures are showing. A system swearing by zero tolerance to anti-social elements and violence is failing to walk its talk.
Only last month, the chief minister chaired a high-level meeting of top police officers, chief secretary, district collectors and advocate general. The directive to the police was to crack down on anti-social elements and take strict action. The meeting came close on the heels of the shooting incident at an illegal sand mining site and the sensational Sonali Phogat death case. However, the crackdown ended as briskly as it started, with zero impact on the ground.
The reluctance of the police to take on goons is as clear as daylight. Understandably, they face a certain level of insecurity because the laws are not stringent. History sheeters have been in and out of jail, and probably the men in uniform fear facing hostilities and being targets themselves.
The police have attributed the Old Market attack to a long-standing personal rivalry. But that is no reason to pass a free-for-all resulting in lawlessness and unabated violence. Such incidents only raise the level of insecurity because of a systemic failure. There are no checks and balances, and we still believe in free nightlife where no one is questioned or challenged. Where is the system when bars and restaurants go on till the morning hours of the next day?
Given the network of gangs operating in Goa and the tacit support they enjoy from the political class, police action in terms of the occasional crackdown will not work. The need of the hour is heightened vigilance and robust policing, especially during the weekend. For now, vulnerable citizens will have to fend for themselves.
