Director General of Police Alok Kumar made his presence felt in Margao with some tough talk against criminals and anti-social elements. When questioned by journalists whether Goa is going the Mirzapur way, the top cop replied, “Goa Police will not allow such a situation, while also mentioning that goons will not have an upper hand and police will crack down on them.”
The DGP’s words may have come as a consolation to bruised minds, minds of common citizens that are scarred by the spate of criminal activities unfolding, and their frequency. These strong assurances increasingly sound disingenuous against the backdrop of rising incidents that expose a breakdown of deterrence and trust in law enforcement. From gang conflicts to extortion bids and attacks on police officers, Goa seems to be in the grip of lawlessness, where anti-social elements are increasingly calling the shots.
Last week’s gang altercation along the busy Colva-Margao highway, which led to several arrests, highlights the entrenched gang conflicts that have escalated beyond control. The police’s rapid response and the apprehension of 19 suspects reflect their operational capabilities; however, they do little to tackle the fundamental issues of arresting crime. The statements about collaborating “in tandem” and claims that “police are working in the right direction” are superficial if they fail to culminate in a concrete oversight of criminal activities. The lingering question is whether police continue to be reactive rather than proactive.
Consider this: Close on the heels of the ghastly gang attack, there were two cases reported of policemen being attacked. Two constables were assaulted at Canaguinim Betul last week, and four police personnel were attacked near Kingston Plaza, Vasco, on Tuesday. These assaults are not isolated but indicative of a bold mindset among criminals who feel little trepidation about facing consequences. When policemen, who represent state authority, are targeted, it conveys a scary message: that law enforcement is either unable to effectively uphold the law and its integrity or is incapable of standing up against criminals and anti-social elements. This notion of impunity threatens to empower more anti-social actors, further destabilising Goa’s delicate social structure.
The DGP’s comment that “anti-social and criminal elements will not be tolerated” is promising but remains fundamentally empty without a clear, actionable strategy or noticeable action on the ground. Simply issuing a warning or responding to violence with arrests does not tackle the underlying issues fostering lawlessness. The gang conflicts, extortion efforts, and assaults on police show that the existing policing framework lacks the ability to instill fear or establish lasting order.
The police’s response to the extortion allegation made by a local business owner highlights this reactive strategy further. Their action to arrest “Walter” and two others appears to be a reactionary decision rather than a planned effort to dismantle criminal networks. The fact that other accomplices remain unapprehended brings to light concerns regarding the police’s focus and investigative priorities. Dismantling organised gangs or networks needs ruthless investigative work that goes beyond affiliations and influences. There can’t be only selective targets.
While the reassurances from police are necessary, they fail to bring in a sense of calm. The threat of a Mirzapur-like situation may not appear real at this time, but certainly for a feared Goan mind, this is a genuine thought. Police need to move out of the comfort of a high detection rate and a high count of arrests. The problem is somewhere else.
