MAPUSA
The North Goa coastal belt, known for its vibrant tourism, has recently become a hotbed of controversy, not just due to rising criminal activities but also because of the Goa Police’s questionable role in addressing these incidents.
A series of violent events in the region – most notably in Baga, Calangute and Assagao – has drawn widespread criticism, with allegations of police inaction, delayed responses and even complicity.
These incidents have not only unsettled the local population but also put the spotlight on the systemic issues plaguing law enforcement in the area.
From the severe beating of two brothers by club bouncers in Baga to the unauthorised demolition of a house in Assagao, the pattern of delayed or insufficient police action has fuelled public outrage.
Villagers and local politicians have repeatedly had to intervene, often protesting in large numbers before police stations to demand justice.
This has raised serious concerns about the integrity of policing, where law enforcement seems slow to act unless prodded by public pressure.
Baga assault: Delayed
action, public outcry
One of the most prominent incidents that exposed the shortcomings of Goa Police occurred in the popular tourist hub of Baga.
In the early hours of a Monday morning, two brothers were chased and brutally assaulted by a group of bouncers armed with wooden clubs outside a nightclub. Although the crime took place at dawn, it was not until later that evening – after a large crowd of villagers, accompanied by Calangute MLA Michael Lobo, marched to the Calangute Police Station – that an FIR was lodged and arrests were made.
The delayed response raised questions about the police's reluctance to act independently.
Despite video evidence of the attack, which included footage of the club owner, Maninder Singh alias Pagi, leading the assault, the police took hours to register the case.
It was only after public pressure mounted that the police sealed the club and arrested five bouncers involved in the attack.
However, the club owner managed to evade custody, further eroding public trust in the police.
This incident underscored a troubling trend: the police’s apparent hesitation to take suo motu action, even in the face of clear evidence of criminal activity.
The pattern of waiting for a formal complaint or a public demonstration before initiating action has become the norm, and in this case, it led to widespread criticism of law enforcement.
Calangute's crime
surge: The fallout
The situation in Calangute further highlights the growing concerns around policing.
Just a day before the Baga assault, two other incidents rocked the area, placing the Calangute Police under further scrutiny. In one case, three veterinary doctors were assaulted by a local shack owner and their staff after a minor verbal altercation.
In the second, three young girls attending a late-night Dandiya event were harassed by a group of tourists and touts, who made lewd remarks and inappropriate advances.
In both instances, the Calangute Police were slow to react.
It was only after the veterinary doctors made a video of their ordeal go viral on social media that the police arrested two staff members of the shack. Similarly, in the case of the young girls, it was a viral video of their account and public outrage that finally prompted the police to arrest two individuals for molestation.
The back-to-back incidents, combined with the police's perceived failure to respond swiftly, led to the transfer of Calangute Police Inspector (PI) Paresh Naik and another police sub-inspector (PSI).
Assagao demolition:
A case of collusion?
Another incident that sparked outrage occurred three months ago in Assagao, a quiet village that is part of North Goa’s tourism circuit.
In June, a group of bouncers, including women, stormed a residential property belonging to the Agarwadekar family and began demolishing the house using a JCB excavator.
The demolition was carried out without any court order or government sanction, and shockingly, Anjuna Police officers stood by and watched.
The unauthorised demolition, which occurred while the occupants were still in the house, was only halted after one of the residents raised an alarm, and the incident gained widespread attention on social media.
The public outcry that followed forced the Anjuna Police to intervene, leading to the filing of an FIR against the bouncers for kidnapping and assault. However, by this time, the damage had been done, both to the house and the public’s perception of the police.
The fallout from the incident was severe.
Anjuna Police Inspector Prashal Desai, along with two PSIs, was suspended for their inaction.
It later emerged that PI Desai had reportedly been pressured by senior police officer, then-DGP Jaspal Singh, to allow the demolition to proceed.
Desai’s claim that he was threatened by the DGP to facilitate the illegal demolition added fuel to the fire.
The DGP was subsequently transferred out of the State, but the incident left lasting scars on the community’s trust in the police.
Police under pressure:
A broken system?
The suspension of Anjuna PI Prashal Desai and transfer of Calangute PI Paresh Naik highlights the complex pressures that police officers in North Goa face.
While these suspensions and transfers appear to be a response to rising crime and public dissatisfaction, there is a growing sense that these officers are merely being used as scapegoats for deeper issues within the system.
In the case of PI Naik, many local leaders, including panchayat members, the village sarpanch and even Calangute MLA Michael Lobo, expressed sympathy for the officer.
They argued that Naik had been unfairly punished for taking action against powerful nightclub owners and bouncers.
There are rumours that Naik’s transfer was orchestrated by senior police officials who were unhappy with his decision to seal the club involved in the Baga assault.
The situation paints a troubling picture of law enforcement in North Goa, where police officers appear to be working under tremendous pressure from both political and business interests.
The reluctance to take independent action, the delayed responses to serious crimes, and the perception of collusion between the police and criminal elements have all contributed to a growing mistrust of the police.
“It’s easy to point fingers at the police, but many of us are working under tremendous pressure, especially those stationed in the coastal areas. We're constantly trying to balance the demands of a demanding public and a relentless political class,” said a police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The way forward
The recent criminal incidents in North Goa’s coastal belt have exposed significant flaws in the State’s policing system.
From the brutal assault in Baga to the unauthorised demolition in Assagao, the Goa Police have repeatedly been found lacking in their response to crime.
While some officers have been suspended or transferred, these measures seem more like bandaids on a broken system rather than a comprehensive solution.
The solution lies in transparent, accountable and proactive policing that follows the rule of law, free from external influence.
Only then can the coastal belt of North Goa truly live up to its reputation as a paradise for tourists and a safe haven for its residents.
